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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