Psychological Assessments
By: Jonathan Babbage
In March of 2020, CTSI was approached by a graduate student that was facing the challenge of completing data collection for their dissertation research as lockdowns were starting. While many studies are able to transition to online surveys as a source of data, this research included a number of psychological assessments do lend themselves to traditional survey questions such as open text, multiple choice, or Likert scale responses. The assessments need to be delivered to a population of subjects that are located around the United States, so an online assessment is necessary.
In order to address the needs of this research, CTSI extends the functionality of REDCap, a web based data capture system. REDCap provides tools for delivering survey invitations to study subjects and aligns data from multiple surveys in one subject record. We added functionality that deliveres more complicated assessments. In the included demo, we present a digit span test and the Corsi block test. For the digit span test, a subject is presented with random numbers starting with length three in quick succession. A subject then must enter the number sequence back. If they enter correctly, the sequence length is increased by one . The test ends after three missed attempts. The Corsi block test is similar, but rather than remembering a number, the subject must remember the order the blocks were illuminated. This tests visio-spacial memory rather than verbal memory.
These assessments are delivered in the same way as another other REDCap survey. On the back end however, we are capturing many details regarding the responses. These details include response time, longest streak, and longest sequence completed. These are standard REDCap variables which means they can be used in skip logic, reports, custom notification logic, and data exports. The solution is also portable meaning we are able to copy the functionality to an independant project for demonstration purposes. It is another example of a customization that is in our library and made available to MSU investigators.
This survey is an example of the customizations that CTSI provides investigators on campus. If you have a study that would benefit from a custom development related to data capture, please contact us.