obiba/mica

Publish with Mica

Web data portals to describe studies, networks and variables, with real-time Opal queries.

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What is Mica?

Mica creates data web portals for large-scale epidemiological studies and multiple-study consortia.

Mica gives studies scientifically robust data visibility and a web presence without significant IT effort: structured descriptions of consortia and studies, annotated and searchable data dictionaries, and data access request management.

Features

Network identification and listing. A standardized way to describe networks and the studies that constitute them.

Study catalogue.

  • Default study description characteristics, customizable to specific requirements.
  • Longitudinal study designs, with data collection events, sub-populations and recruitment timelines.

Datasets.

  • A standard menu for data resources.
  • Faceted variable search.
  • Detailed dataset descriptions, with a comprehensive dictionary of the variables.

Mica does not store any record-level data. For studies using Opal as their secured database, a distributed query engine gives authorized researchers real-time aggregated reports on the number of participants with specific characteristics, and summary statistics on each variable. No individual-level data passes through Mica, yet researchers can assess whether a dataset suits their needs.

Data access management. Editable forms to handle access requests electronically:

  • Present the data access policy.
  • Manage data access requests from submission to approval.
  • Extend the default request form.
  • Present the data access committee members.

Administration. Administer the portal from the website itself, and define permissions on any kind of content.

Download

Mica is a stand-alone Java web server application; it does not need a container such as Tomcat or Jetty. The Debian and RPM packages are strongly recommended, as they greatly simplify installation and upgrades.

See the installation guide and the configuration guide.

Try Mica

Have a look at the demo site.

Administration pages:

  • Administrator: administrator / password
  • Content editor: editor / P@ssw0rd
  • Content reviewer: reviewer / P@ssw0rd

Data access pages:

  • Data access officer: dao / P@ssw0rd
  • Regular user: user1 / P@ssw0rd

Mica releases