Protocol specification assists in the representation and execution of complex surveys and longitudinal studies.
Description of view
This view contains elements from the process model. Using these elements it is possible to specify the arrangement of study units in a study. Study units can occur either in parallel or sequentially. An example of the parallel occurrence of study units is when administrative data collection occurs at the same time as questionnaire data collection. These study unit paths might be split following an initial study unit and later joined before another study unit proceeds.
Additionally, protocol specification includes the specification of the arrangement of instruments within a study unit. For example in a longitudinal study at a visit several instruments might be administered. They might administered in a sequence with conditions, in any order or in some combination of sequence and any order. The protocol specification orchestrates the order of instruments within a study unit.