Query
In Data & data management
Also known as: data query, data clarification form, DCF
A query is a formal question raised about a data point that looks missing, inconsistent, or implausible. It is sent to the site, answered by someone authorized to do so, and closed once resolved, with the whole exchange recorded. Answering queries promptly is one of the most visible measures of a site's performance.
Why it matters
Queries are the everyday currency between sites and data management, and how quickly a site answers them is one of the metrics sponsors track most closely.
Example
The eCRF shows a visit date before the consent date. A query asks the site to check; the site confirms a typing error and corrects the visit date, and the audit trail records both values.
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