Why and how do I submit accrual data for my study?

Why do I need to submit accrual data for my study?

The UKCRN is committed to improving the clinical research infrastructure across the UK and to make this more accessible so that more patients can benefit from being part of a research study. Accrual data are part of the key performance indicators which are being used to demonstrate the success of the networks and will also feed in to the process of allocating future funding to the Comprehensive Clinical Research Networks (CLRNs) to ensure that infrastructure resources are directed to where they are required.

Once your study has been confirmed as being accepted into the Portfolio, you will be asked to provide us with accrual data from April 2007 and then on an ongoing basis.

Accrual data are now routinely collected for studies being undertaken in the Topic Specific and Primary Care Research Networks and are also required for studies which are part of the NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research Network Portfolio.

How do I submit accrual data for my study?

The Accrual Upload System is an online tool, accessed through the UKCRN Web Portal, which provides a secure means of uploading your data to the UKCRN database.

In order to use this application, nominated Accrual Data Contacts (ADC) will need a login account to the Portal and specific permissions to upload accrual data.

Recruitment data should be uploaded on a monthly basis. At the beginning of each month you will receive an automated email requesting that you upload data for the period up to the end of the previous month and including all data back to 1 April of the current financial year (if the study was recruiting at that time).

The requirements for collecting accrual data are currently being reviewed in order to make this as less onerous as possible for researchers while ensuring that it meets the performance management and reporting requirements of the UKCRN.

The Accrual Upload System is currently configured to handle Excel spreadsheets and comma delimited CSV files. A standard Accrual Data Template is available here:

A comprehensive guide to using the Accrual Upload System is available here:

A list of accrual related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers are available here:

The IS Team within the UKCRN Coordinating Centre have produced a series of users guides to assist individuals using the Portfolio database which can be accessed here.