Domain specifications in this guide are instructions for implementing the SDTM to build datasets for representation of collected, assigned, or derived data. Domain specifications for the TIG are provided in:

Guidance in this section describes how to read domain specifications provided in the sections listed above. Implementers should refer to these sections when reading this guidance.

Domain specifications will be used with guidance in this section and are organized with 1 specification per domain or dataset. All domain specifications begin with a description, expected name, and expectations for the record structure for the resulting dataset. A domain specification table follows to describe dataset variables and their attributes. Assumptions for the domain are also provided to further guide implementation. Domain specification tables are structured to present 1 row for each variable with columns to describe expected attributes of the variable in resulting datasets. The order of variables in a domain specification table reflects the expected order of variables in the resulting dataset.

The columns present in each domain specification are described below with the column name and purpose: 

NumDomain Specification Column NamePurpose of Column Content
1Variable NameSpecifies the name of the variable in the resulting dataset
2Variable LabelSpecifies a descriptive label for the variable
3Type

Specifies the data type of the variable. Values for in this column are:

  • Num for numeric data
  • Char for character or alphanumeric data
4Controlled Terms, Codelist, or Format

Specifies applicable controlled terminology or formats with which to populate the variable. Values in this column are:

  • The value for variable DOMAIN from CDISC Controlled Terminology (e.g., VS)
  • Names of 1 or more CDISC Controlled Terminology codelist, with each codelist name in parentheses
  • Short references to an external terminology (e.g., MedDRA)
  • The name of an external ISO 8601 format
5Role

Specifies the role of the variable in the resulting dataset including information conveyed by the variable in the context of a data record and how the variable can be used. Values in this column are:

  • Identifier for variables which identify the study, subject, domain, pool identifier, and sequence number of the record
  • Topic for variables which specify the focus of the data record
  • Grouping Qualifier for variables which are used to group together a collection of observations within the same domain
  • Result Qualifier for variables which describe the specific results associated with the topic variable in a Findings dataset
  • Synonym Qualifier for variables which specify an alternative name for a particular variable in an observation
  • Record Qualifier for variables which define additional attributes of the observation record as a whole, rather than describing a particular variable within a record
  • Variable Qualifier for variables which are used to further modify or describe a specific variable within an observation and are only meaningful in the context of the variable they qualify
  • Rule for variables which express an algorithm or executable method to define start, end, and branching or looping conditions in the Trial Design Model datasets
  • Timing for variables which describe the timing of the observation
6CDISC Notes

Provides additional context for the intended use of the variable and may include:

  • A description of the purpose of the variable and/or what the variable means
  • Guidelines for variable use including rules for when or how the variable should be populated, or how the contents should be formatted
  • Example values which could appear in the variable. Such values are intended to support understanding and are not intended to influence decisions regarding data to collect and subsequently represent in the variable. For guidance on the selection of data to collect, please refer to the appropriate regulatory authority.  
7Core

Specifies expectations for inclusion of the variable in the resulting dataset. Values in this column are:

  • Req for variables which are Required and must be included in the resulting dataset and cannot be null for any record. Such variables are basic to the identification of a data record or are necessary to make the record meaningful. 
  • Exp for variables which are Expected to be included in the resulting dataset, even if all values are null. Such variables are considered necessary to make the data record useful in the context of the domain.
  • Perm for variables for which it is Permissible to include or exclude from the resulting dataset. Permissible variables must be included in the resulting dataset when data appropriate for the variable have been collected or derived, even if all values are null.

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