Which elements are part of the data life cycle in clinical trials?

• A. Data capture, review, corrections, transfer, retention, and destruction.
• B. Enrollment, randomization, blinding only.
• C. Monitoring, auditing, escalation only.
• D. Pharmacovigilance actions only.

Answer: (A)

In trials, the data you collect must move through a clear sequence from creation to eventual disposal, with checks along the way to keep it accurate and secure. Data capture is the moment the information is gathered, followed by review and corrections to fix errors. Data may be transferred between systems for processing or analysis, then kept for the required time (retention) and finally destroyed or archived according to policy. This sequence covers the full lifecycle of data handling, from initial collection to end-of-life management, which is why it best fits the data life cycle concept.

The other options describe activities that aren’t part of the data lifecycle itself: enrollment, randomization, and blinding are study design/operations; monitoring, auditing, and escalation are quality oversight activities; and pharmacovigilance actions relate to safety monitoring.