# Goupile

> electronical Case Report Form (eCRF)

**Wikidata**: [Q120131804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120131804)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goupile

## Summary
Goupile is an electronic Case Report Form (eCRF) designed for data collection in scientific research. It is an open-source software tool developed by InterHop under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later.

## Key Facts
- **Purpose**: Facilitates data collection in scientific contexts, specifically for clinical research.
- **License**: GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later.
- **Development**: Created by InterHop.
- **Programming Language**: Python (Wikidata Q2407).
- **Website**: [goupile.fr](https://goupile.fr)
- **Instance Of**: Software (non-tangible executable computer component).
- **Academic Recognition**: Referenced in research publications regarding clinical report form development.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Goupile's primary function?  
A: Goupile serves as an electronic Case Report Form (eCRF) specifically designed for data collection in scientific research, particularly clinical studies.  

### Q: Under which license is Goupile distributed?  
A: It is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later (AGPL-3.0-or-later).  

### Q: Who developed Goupile and what technology does it use?  
A: Goupile was developed by InterHop and implemented using Python as its programming language.  

## Why It Matters
Goupile addresses critical challenges in clinical research by providing a standardized digital platform for data collection. Its open-source nature under AGPL-3.0-or-later ensures transparency, accessibility, and collaborative improvement, allowing researchers worldwide to adapt and enhance the tool for diverse scientific needs. By streamlining clinical data workflows, Goupile reduces manual errors and accelerates research efficiency, contributing to more reliable and reproducible scientific outcomes.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source Commitment**: Utilizes AGPL-3.0-or-later licensing, enabling free use, modification, and distribution with shared improvements.
- **Specialized Domain Application**: Tailored exclusively for electronic Case Report Form (eCRF) usage in clinical and scientific data collection.
- **Python Implementation**: Built in Python, leveraging its simplicity and extensive ecosystem for scientific computing.
- **Academic Foundation**: Supported by published research validating its design and implementation paradigms in clinical contexts.

## Body
### Definition and Purpose
Goupile is formally classified as an electronic Case Report Form (eCRF), a specialized software tool for structured data collection in scientific research. It functions as a non-tangible executable component within the broader software category, designed specifically to streamline and standardize clinical study workflows. Its core purpose is to digitize paper-based case report forms, enabling efficient, accurate, and scalable data capture during clinical trials and observational studies.

### Development and Licensing
Developed by InterHop, Goupile is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later (AGPL-3.0-or-later). This licensing choice emphasizes open collaboration, permitting users to access, modify, and redistribute the software while mandating that derivative works remain under the same open terms. The license is publicly documented via the official Git repository at [Framagit](https://framagit.org/interhop/goupile/-/blob/master/LICENSE.txt).

### Technical Implementation
As a software entity, Goupile is implemented in Python (Wikidata Q2407), a programming language favored for its readability and robust libraries suited for data-intensive applications. While specific architectural details like source code structure and software quality metrics are not provided, its integration with scientific workflows reflects a design focused on usability, reliability, and interoperability in research environments.

### Academic and Research Integration
Goupile's application in scientific data collection is substantiated by academic publications. It is explicitly referenced in research framing it as "a New Paradigm for the Development and Implementation of Clinical Report Forms," published on [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360857399_Goupile_A_New_Paradigm_for_the_Development_and_Implementation_of_Clinical_Report_Forms). This underscores its role in advancing methodological standards for clinical data management.

### Relationship to Software Class
Goupile inherits core characteristics from its parent entity, "software," including its classification as a creative work, written work, and means. It embodies software’s defining attributes—such as source code, program-data duality, and digital form—while specializing in the domain of clinical data collection. This places it alongside notable software entities like Java and Google Docs Editors, but distinguishes itself through its niche focus on scientific research infrastructure.

## References

1. [Source](https://framagit.org/interhop/goupile/-/blob/master/LICENSE.txt)