Metadata is "data about data." In clinical research and Castor CDMS, metadata provides context, definition, and structure to your collected clinical values (for example: standard terminologies, variable names, units, and data domains).
Adding metadata enables semantic interoperability, simplifies data pooling, and supports compliance with regulatory standards (such as CDISC).
Managing and Using Metadata in Castor CDMS
Depending on your study requirements, you can configure, apply, and export metadata across several areas:
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Define Study-Level Annotations & Ontologies:
Set up standard terminology systems (such as SNOMED CT or LOINC) to annotate your study fields.
➔ See Helpdesk: Metadata Annotations Settings in CDMS -
Add Field Annotations & CDASH Domains:
Assign specific fields to standard data domains (e.g., Demographics, Vital Signs) or add custom CDASH annotation tags.
➔ See Helpdesk: Field properties: data standardization and advanced tabs in CDMS -
Medical Coding for Adverse Events:
Attach standardized MedDRA or WHODrug terms to repeating data via Castor's MedCodr integration.
➔ See Helpdesk: Metadata for Adverse Event Repeating Data in EDC/CDMS -
EHR / FHIR Integration:
Tag fields with standardized metadata to allow automated mapping and ingestion of hospital electronic health record data.
➔ See Helpdesk: Configure fields for importing of EHR data in EDC/CDMS -
Exporting Metadata & Annotated CRFs:
Download your study structure with full metadata annotations in XML or CDISC ODM format, or generate an annotated blank CRF.
➔ See Helpdesk: Export the form structure in CDMS and Helpdesk: Annotated CRF in EDC/CDMS
For more information, see our blog article: Metadata: What are they and why do I need them?