Common Data Elements (CDEs) help researchers share and combine datasets. Gathering consistent and standardized data is time consuming and challenging. Having access to these existing datasets can help you save time and meet the funding requirements of your research projects.

So, what are CDEs? A CDE is a standardized, precisely defined question, paired with a set of allowable responses. These questions are used systematically across different sites, studies, or clinical trials to ensure consistent data collection. This compliant data management and sharing plan makes it easier to exchange and make use of information across a variety of studies. It also directly supports the 2023 NIH Data Management & Sharing Policy, designed to accelerate biomedical research discovery.

You can access this valuable resource by creating an account here. This will allow you to search CDEs by keyword, topic, or organization. Then, you can save your findings or export them. If you need support getting started, use this self-paced CDE tutorial by the National Library of Medicine. You can also reach out to a local librarian at Hardin for support on this contact page.