Digital Research Toolkit
Welcome to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Digital Research Toolkit—your guide to navigating the secure digital tools available for research at Lurie Children’s. Whether you need secure data collection, virtual communication and collaboration, patient engagement, or more, this toolkit provides an overview of the key technologies at your disposal. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline study workflows, enhance participant communication, and ensure efficient data management—all essential for conducting high-quality research in a digital landscape.
Before diving into the toolkit please review these important research support and governance considerations.
Browse Tools/Vendors
Each tool has been reviewed and approved as secure for conducting research at Lurie Children’s. If you notice any errors, missing information, or have suggestions about the content please email the Quantitative Science team who will field questions and direct them to the right department.
Please refer to the official government websites for guidance on FDA Part 11 and HIPAA compliance as it relates to the specific use or regulatory requirements of each tool listed below. Each tool will be labeled as compliant, not compliant, or not applicable, as appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What options do I have as a researcher to gather data (such as surveys, photos, or videos) from participants electronically? What platforms are available to use for text messaging in research, and what are their functionalities?
Electronic Data Tools for Collecting or Exchanging Research Data with Participants – Software
The following software are currently approved through Lurie Children’s and/or Northwestern University (for those with access to Northwestern University's tools) to collect data from participants electronically, as well as to send data or text to participants through secure text messages and/or emails.
For guidance on appropriate content of messages to participants, please see the following resource: WELL--Artera--Messaging-Guidelines-and-Best-Practices (PDF).
| Platform | Can text Participants? | Can Email Participants? | Can Participants Upload Photos and Videos? | Can Send Out Automated or Timed Messages Reminders, or Links? | Can Complete Text Message Surveys? |
| Lurie Children's REDCap | Not as a standalone tool but is compatible with Mosio | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Lurie Children's Qualtrics | YES. Both 1-way and 2-way texting. | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Northwestern University Qualtrics | YES. Both 1-way and 2-way texting. | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Mosio | YES. Both 1-way and 2-way texting when integrated with REDCap | NO. But the original project in REDCap can email participants | YES | YES. Can send appointment or medication reminders, text messages or survey links | YES |
| MyChart | Not Independently. Can text participants to check MyChart to view a full message. | Not Independently. Can text participants to check MyChart to view a full message. | YES | YES. Can send notifications around treatment and medication through Care Companion | NO |
| NU REDCap with Twilio Integration | YES, but the text message must include a survey link to the participant. The text message can only be used to remind participants of repetitive or specially timed surveys | YES | YES | YES, only when the study link is included in the text message. Cannot be used for medication or appointment reminders | NO |
| Artera | YES. 1-way texting available. 2-way texting available with approval | NO | YES | YES, messages can be automatically sent after a scheduled outpatient visit that exists within Epic. | NO |
| RADDChat | Yes. 1-way text messaging available | NO | NO | YES | NO |
* Please reference NU REDCap section for latest guidance on availability to faculty and staff within Lurie Children’s. Please prioritize use of Lurie Children’s REDCap instance when possible.
Which platforms can I use to conduct live (synchronous) research activities like recorded interviews, focus groups, and/or live healthcare interventions (e.g., a telehealth assessment)?
Research Recording and Virtual Interactions
The following platforms have been approved for use in research studies as secure ways to conduct live interactions with participants.
| Platform | Able to password protect meetings? | Able to set a waiting room? | Able to require participant verification before joining meeting? | Can record audio separate from video? | Can do breakout rooms? |
| Teams | NO | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Zoom | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
My research project requires the purchase of a smart phone or tablet with Wi-Fi or Data capabilities for either the research staff or the participants to use – what options are available to me?
Research Hardware and Data Options
At this time, hardware devices (iPhones or iPads) are available through Lurie Children’s to provide to research participants or to use as a research team. Research teams have the ability to provide mobile devices with cellular data or wifi connectivity to support equitable participation in research projects. Contact the Quantitative Science team for further information.
See detailed information on mobile devices for research.
I need to create a webpage for my lab, what are my options of host sites, and how can I access them and budget for this in my research proposal?
Research Website Creation
The following platforms have been approved for use in research studies as secure and compliant options for hosting lab websites.
| Platform | Cost | Institutional Access |
| Stanley Manne Research Institute Website Page | Free (project- and program-based webpages are generally free, but the development of any new page design elements or tools may incur a cost) | Available to Lurie Children's researchers |
| Webpage on NUsites | Free | Available for those with a NetID |
I need to create or alter content like photos, graphics, or videos for my study. What are my options and how can I access and budget for them?
Research Content Creation
The following options exist with prior approval for creating photos, graphics, or videos for a research study.
| Tool | Cost | # of people who can share an account | Visuals |
| Vyond | $25-92/month | One research team can share a subscription between them, but only one user can be logged in at a time | Can only use cartoon animations including pre-existing and AI-generated scenes and characters |
| Adobe Software | Varies depending on product | Accounts are for individuals, and are provided as an individual license | Can use animations, visual effects, and motion picture compositing |
| Inkscape | Free/open source | Accounts are for individuals | Can be used to create illustrations, cartoons and animation, logos, flowcharts, diagrams, and more |
| NitroPro | Free for Lurie Children's researchers (Researchers are encouraged to use and Adobe License when funds are available) | Each license can be installed on two devices (only a limited number of licenses are available, once all licenses are used no more requests will be accepted) | No animation capabilities, but can be used to edit and manage PDFs |
I need to create an app or content for a website from scratch for my study, what are my options and how can I access and budget for them?
Research App Creation
The content creators listed below have been previously utilized by Lurie Children's researchers for various projects. Please note that we are not specifically recommending any of them. These vendors are listed alphabetically, and any researcher interested in working with them will still need to go through the process of establishing a contract with the individual business for their own project.
If you have had a positive experience with a content creator or company not listed above, and would recommend them to other researchers, please email the Quantitative Science team to have them added to this list.
Additional Support and Contact Information
Please direct any questions regarding IRB compliance and approval to irb@luriechildrens.org.
If you are seeking guidance on designing your study, developing survey items, or support during study implementation of the digital tools available to Lurie Children’s researchers, the Catalyst team is here to help. To request a consultation, please complete the Catalyst Request Form, or email Catalyst with any questions.
- Visit Smith Child Health Catalyst for more information about the Catalyst and its service offerings.
- If you are looking for additional guidance on projects involving digital health tools—such as mobile apps, texting, remote monitoring, or telemedicine—select the "Consultation" option on the request form and identify "Health@Home" as your content area of focus for the consultation to best align services with your project’s needs.
For further support on a specific research project, please contact the research navigation team through the Research Navigation Request Form. Research navigators share information with experts across research administration to provide research teams with the most up-to-date information available regarding resources in the research institute. Visit Research Navigation for more information.
