Quest markup for developing FAIR questionnaire modules for epidemiologic studies.
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Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Russ, DE
Gerlanc, NM
Shen, B
Patel, B
Berrington de González, A
Freedman, ND
Cusack, JM
Gaudet, MM
García-Closas, M
Almeida, JS
Gerlanc, NM
Shen, B
Patel, B
Berrington de González, A
Freedman, ND
Cusack, JM
Gaudet, MM
García-Closas, M
Almeida, JS
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2023-10-25
Date Accepted
2023-10-13
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Online questionnaires are commonly used to collect information from participants in epidemiological studies. This requires building questionnaires using machine-readable formats that can be delivered to study participants using web-based technologies such as progressive web applications. However, the paucity of open-source markup standards with support for complex logic make collaborative development of web-based questionnaire modules difficult. This often prevents interoperability and reusability of questionnaire modules across epidemiological studies. RESULTS: We developed an open-source markup language for presentation of questionnaire content and logic, Quest, within a real-time renderer that enables the user to test logic (e.g., skip patterns) and view the structure of data collection. We provide the Quest markup language, an in-browser markup rendering tool, questionnaire development tool and an example web application that embeds the renderer, developed for The Connect for Cancer Prevention Study. CONCLUSION: A markup language can specify both the content and logic of a questionnaire as plain text. Questionnaire markup, such as Quest, can become a standard format for storing questionnaires or sharing questionnaires across the web. Quest is a step towards generation of FAIR data in epidemiological studies by facilitating reusability of questionnaires and data interoperability using open-source tools.
Citation
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2023, 23 (1), pp. 238 -
Source Title
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Publisher
BMC
ISSN
1472-6947
eISSN
1472-6947
1472-6947
1472-6947