Download Latest CCDM Questions

Regulatory agencies such as theFDAandICHrequire thatelectronic data be retained in a format that preserves audit trails and traceability.

While PDF images (option C) provide a static representation of data, they do not preserve theunderlying audit trail(i.e., who changed what, when, and why). TheASCII data files with corresponding audit trails(option D) provide complete transparency and comply with21 CFR Part 11andGCDMParchival standards.

Option A(storing computers) is unnecessary and impractical, andOption B(paper source documents) are site records, not system archives.

Hence,option Dis correct —ASCII data files with audit trailsmeet traceability and compliance standards.

Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):

SCDM GCDMP, Chapter: Database Lock and Archiving, Section 5.4 – Archival Formats and Audit Trail Retention

ICH E6(R2) GCP, Section 5.5.3 – Data Integrity, Audit Trails, and Record Retention

FDA 21 CFR Part 11 – Electronic Records; Audit Trail and Retention Requirements

A completedata element definitionin clinical data management should include:

Nameandclear descriptionof the data element,

Data type(e.g., numeric, text, date),

Precisionor scale (if numeric), and

Unit or dimensionalityof measure (e.g., centimeters, inches).

In this example, while the data type (“measured physical quantity”) and precision (0.1) are defined, theunit of measurement(e.g., centimeters or inches) is missing. This omission leads to ambiguity and could cause serious discrepancies when comparing or analyzing measurements.

TheGCDMP (Chapter: Database Design and Build)emphasizes that units and dimensionality must be explicitly defined and consistently applied in all CRFs, metadata dictionaries, and data transformations.

Thus,option D (Unit or dimensionality of measure)is correct.

Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):

SCDM GCDMP, Chapter: Database Design and Build, Section 5.2 – Metadata and Data Element Definitions

CDISC CDASH Implementation Guide, Section 3.3 – Data Element Metadata Requirements

ICH E6(R2) GCP, Section 5.5.3 – Data Accuracy and Standardized Definitions

When reporting milestone-based site payment information, themost critical informationto include isexpected versus actual milestones met to date, by site.

According to theGood Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP, Chapter: Project Management and Communication), effective reporting must supportoperational and financial decision-makingby presenting performance indicators in a clear, actionable format. Site payments in clinical studies are typically tied to specific milestones such as subject enrollment, visit completion, or data cleaning achievements.

By comparingexpected (planned)versusactual (achieved)milestones per site, the Data Manager providesclinical operations staffwith an accurate view of site progress and payment eligibility. This allows for identification of delayed sites, forecasting of upcoming payments, and early intervention for underperforming centers.

While milestone summaries by month or type (options A and B) may be useful for trend analysis, they lack the operational detail required for financial tracking. Milestone data by patient (option D) is overly granular for site-level payment management.

Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):

SCDM Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP), Chapter: Project Management and Communication, Section 6.2 – Data Reporting for Site Performance and Payments

ICH E6 (R2) Good Clinical Practice, Section 5.18.4 – Communication and Monitoring Reports

FDA Guidance for Industry: Oversight of Clinical Investigations – Site Management and Reporting

Maintainingtraceabilityof external data imports (such as laboratory results) is a fundamental principle of clinical data management. According to theGCDMP (Chapter: External Data Transfers and Integration), Data Managers mustretain an unaltered copy of the raw data exactly as received from the vendor.

This archived version serves as a reference for:

Data provenance verification,

Audit trail review, and

Discrepancy resolution between vendor and study database.

Since the central lab maintains its own audit trail, the Data Manager’s responsibility is to preserve theoriginal data transmission filebefore applying transformations, merges, or validations.

Options A, C, and D describe procedural safeguards but do not meet the regulatory requirement oftraceable data lineage. Onlyoption B (Maintaining a copy of the data as received)ensures compliance withICH E6(R2)andFDA 21 CFR Part 11standards for data traceability and integrity.

Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):

SCDM GCDMP, Chapter: External Data Transfers and Integration, Section 5.2 – Data Traceability and Version Control

ICH E6(R2) GCP, Section 5.5.3 – Data Integrity and Source Data Verification

FDA Guidance for Industry: Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations, Section 6.4 – Source Data Traceability and Archiving