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Source data verification (SDV)

Source Data Verification (SDV) relates to the process of ensuring data accuracy and integrity within a clinical trial. SDV involves the review and comparison of data recorded in the source documents against the data captured on the case report forms (CRFs). During SDV, a trained monitor or clinical research associate (CRA) compares the source data to the CRFs to identify any discrepancies or errors. They may review laboratory results, medical history, adverse event records, and other relevant information. Discrepancies found during SDV are usually documented and resolved through data clarification or query processes with the site personnel responsible for data collection.

In the EDC application, after the data entry is completed for all visits, the CRA or data manager (DM) can start to perform SDV according to the configured settings. The options available to the designated users to conduct SDV are explained in detail in the following sections:

SDV & SDR options
Figure 1. SDV & SDR options

See also
In this section:

A specialized document in a clinical trial designed to collect the subject data.

See also eCRF.

A person who is the main line of communication between the sponsor and the investigator. The monitor provides assistance to investigators, ensuring that the trial is conducted and documented properly. In the clinical trial industry, often referred to as a clinical research monitor or clinical research associate (CRA).

A person responsible for overseeing and monitoring a clinical trial to ensure it is conducted in compliance with regulatory standards and protocols. The CRA’s scope of work might include protocol review, site selection and initiation, monitoring, data entry control, and more.

In the eClinical system, the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) user role is assigned to a person who works with the sites, and in EDC, mainly has to make sure that the entered data is truthful to the source document. CRA checks the source document in a process called source data verification and ensures that everything entered by the clinical research coordinators is valid to avoid any discrepancies caused by human errors.

A person responsible for managing and ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of data collected during clinical trials. The DM’s scope of work might include maintaining the quality of data, complying with regulatory requirements, and supporting the overall success of clinical research.

In the eClinical system, the Data Manager (DM) user role is granted to a person who is mainly responsible for cleaning the data, making sure the data is entered correctly according to all requirements and industry standards, and creating manual queries for clinical research coordinators on any questionable data pieces. Before the study goes live, works with the sponsor and receives and addresses their feedback to set up the study and CRFs in EDC in a way that the sponsor approves.