Research Data Collection Sheet

This Excel sheet is a clean starting point for collecting participant-level data, with validation rules and a data dictionary so definitions travel with the data.

What is inside

• Data sheet: record ID, entry date, age, sex, group, baseline and outcome measures
• Validation: age 0–120, dropdowns for sex and completeness
• Missing-data reason column
• Data dictionary sheet with labels, units and missing codes

How to use it

1. Edit the variable columns and the data dictionary to fit your protocol before entering any data.
2. Use a study ID only: no names, initials, MRN or birth dates.
3. Store the file on your institution's approved, access-controlled storage.
4. Do not edit raw entries later; log corrections.

Example (illustrative)

A dictionary row: age | Age at enrolment | Integer | years | 0–120 | blank if missing. (Illustrative.)

Limitations and cautions

Validation rules reduce typing errors but do not make data trustworthy. Store the file only on approved systems, keep identifiers out of it, and check with your ethics board before collecting patient-level data. The file is free to use and edit, and the footer credits MedResearch Ninja.

MRN templates are original, editable starting points. Reporting standards (PRISMA, CARE, ICMJE and others) belong to their authors: use the official versions linked above for formal submissions.