Introduction to controlled vocabularies

Creating extraction vocabulary fields in data extraction forms ensures consistency and accuracy in the data extraction process. When extraction fields are coded using a standardized vocabulary, it minimizes discrepancies between reviewers and errors that can arise from subjective interpretations. This uniform approach facilitates easier data comparison and aggregation across different studies or projects. Additionally, it streamlines the analysis process by providing a clear and structured dataset.

To access the Controlled Vocabularies, click the 'vocabularies' icon on the left-side navigation panel.

You have the following permissions:

Delete existing vocabularies from organizational assets.
Create new vocabularies.
Modify existing vocabularies.

Controlled Vocabularies tab with the sample list of vocabularies in the organisation.

Controlled vocabularies are  available only to Admin, Owner, and Data Manager roles, and only they have permission to create new vocabulary  or modify existing ones. However, all project managers have access to these vocabularies when they create data extraction forms  in projects where they have permission to upload and modify them according to the specific project topic.

Vocabularies have a hierarchical structure, consisting of parents (the highest level), children (concepts that belong to a parent), and sibling concepts (concepts at the same level under the same parent).

For example, we can categorize studies based on the type of data they include. Primary evidence and secondary evidence are the parent categories. Each parent can have multiple children. In this case, specific study types such as RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial), cohort study, etc. all belong to the parent category Primary evidence.

In the left section, you have access to suggested terms that come from extractions done in previous projects. Here, you can find import and export options. You can also add labels to each parent and child category, which will be used as field names in data extraction forms.
In the middle section, you will see the vocabulary. In the upper section, you will find action buttons that you can use to build the vocabulary.
In the edit section, you can specify each term included in the vocabulary.

Panel for creating new controlled vocabulary with general information, import/export options and suggested terms on the left, built vocabulary in the middle and editing section on the right.

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