REDCap Ontology Annotation Made Easy (ROME) - A REDCap Module for Simplified Metadata Element Annotation
Meigen C, Klopfenstein SA, Groselj-Strele A, Löbe M, Mang JM, Thewes D, Rezniczek GA (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 336
Pages Range: 1227-1231
DOI: 10.3233/SHTI260394
Abstract
Semantic annotation of study metadata elements with concept codes from medical terminologies is essential in order to make biomedical data FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and to enable cross-border data exchange as envisioned within the forthcoming European Health Data Space (EHDS). Existing annotation tools are often detached from everyday data-capture workflows, limiting their practical uptake by researchers and data managers. REDCap Ontology annotations Made Easy (ROME) addresses this gap by embedding ontology-based annotation directly into REDCap's Online Designer. REDCap is a widely utilized electronic data collection framework in clinical and epidemiological research. As an external REDCap module, ROME allows users to import minimal datasets, search large ontologies such as SNOMED CT, map answer options, and harmonize projects through reusable semantic mappings. Metadata and annotations are stored in structured JSON to ensure machine-readability and interoperability. Future developments include dedicated interfaces for major ontologies, best-practice frameworks for managing minimal datasets, and community-driven harmonization efforts. ROME thus represents a concrete step towards bridging routine data capture and FAIR, EHDS-aligned semantic data stewardship by embedding ontology annotation directly into the design workflow.
Authors with CRIS profile
Jonathan Mang
Medizinisches Zentrum für Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik (Medizinisches IK-Zentrum, MIK)
Involved external institutions
St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH - Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr
Germany (DE)
Universität Leipzig
Germany (DE)
Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung in der Charité / Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)
Germany (DE)
Medizinische Universität Graz
Austria (AT)
Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universität Leipzig
Germany (DE)
Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung in der Charité / Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)
Germany (DE)
Medizinische Universität Graz
Austria (AT)
Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Meigen, C., Klopfenstein, S.A., Groselj-Strele, A., Löbe, M., Mang, J.M., Thewes, D., & Rezniczek, G.A. (2026). REDCap Ontology Annotation Made Easy (ROME) - A REDCap Module for Simplified Metadata Element Annotation. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 336, 1227-1231. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI260394
MLA:
Meigen, Christof, et al. "REDCap Ontology Annotation Made Easy (ROME) - A REDCap Module for Simplified Metadata Element Annotation." Studies in Health Technology and Informatics 336 (2026): 1227-1231.
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