Process

Get started

To start using Rmonize, install the package and see a simple example of processing.

Prepare the input elements

Processing data using Rmonize depends on three user-provided input elements:

• The DataSchema is the list of variables to be generated, or harmonized, across the input datasets. For use in Rmonize, a document with a specific format is typically prepared in an Excel template minimally including information about the variable names, labels, data types, and categories.
• The input datasets are the datasets collected by the participating studies or initiatives that provide the input variables for processing. Rmonize provides functions to evaluate, summarize, and format input datasets and associated data dictionaries for use in the package.
• The Data Processing Elements (DPE) specifies the input elements and instructions for Rmonize to generate harmonized outputs from each input dataset.The DPE has a specific technical format and is usually prepared in an Excel template, with columns indicating whether or not each DataSchema variable can be generated in each dataset, along with the algorithms used for data processing.

Process inputs into harmonized outputs

Rmonize uses the input datasets, DataSchema, and Data Processing Elements to process input into harmonized datasets. The package can also generate reports that are useful for understanding and validating harmonized data content.

Secure harmonized outputs

Rmonize generates individual or pooled datasets and associated data dictionaries that integrate information from the DataSchema and Data Processing Elements. The package can also generate reports with descriptive statistics and visual summaries to describe and document the harmonized datasets.