The Study Schedule of Events (SoE) section in the protocol is the most concise and comprehensive representation of the timing of data collection throughout a study.
According to the Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP, Chapter: Data Management Planning and Study Start-up) and ICH E6 (R2) GCP, the SoE outlines what assessments, procedures, and data collections occur at each study visit (e.g., screening, baseline, treatment visits, follow-up). This table is a foundational tool for CRF design, database structure, and edit-check development, ensuring alignment between the protocol and data management systems.
While the study endpoints section (A) defines what is measured, and the protocol synopsis (C) summarizes the design, only the schedule of events (B) specifies when data collection occurs for each parameter. The ICH essential documents (D) pertain to regulatory documentation, not study visit timing.
Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):
SCDM Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP), Chapter: Data Management Planning and Study Start-up, Section 4.1 - Using the Schedule of Events for Database Design ICH E6 (R2) GCP, Section 6.3 - Trial Design and Schedule of Assessments FDA Guidance for Industry: Protocol Design and Data Collection Standards