---
title: "Research Data Keys"
slug: "research-research-data-keys"
updated: 2026-03-13T20:25:04Z
published: 2026-03-13T20:25:04Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Research Data Keys

[Research](/v1/docs/research-overview) **data keys**let you capture of information about a [research source](/v1/docs/research-research-sources).

These keys act as destinations that can be used from multiple sources (when configured as a shared key) or from a single source (when configured as a private key). By using shared keys where the underlying data is ultimately the same, users can look across multiple sources when querying and reporting to evaluate the information in the aggregate. Or, users might choose to specify a particular key from a particular source.

> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Tip
> 
> Prompt lists for research data keys should be created just like all other prompts - using the Prompts tool. If a newly created prompt list doesn't immediately appear when attempting to associate the list with a data key, force-refresh the prompt cache to make the option available.

**Admissions Example**

#### Creating a Shared Data Key

To create a data key (destination) that can be contributed to from multiple research sources:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears.
3. Click **Data Keys** on the right of the page. The **Research Data Keys** page appears.
4. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
5. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Engagement.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “engagement.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as a tab when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Add to Research Sources**: Existing research sources appear here. Select the source or sources that will be associated with this data key.
6. Click **Save**. The new data key appears in the list on the **Research Data Keys** summary page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(281).png)

#### Creating a Private Key

To create a private data key specific to a research source:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears with a list of existing research sources.
3. Select an existing research source from the list. The research configuration editor appears.

> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Tip
> 
> For information on creating a new research source configuration, refer to the [Research Sources](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/research-research-sources) article in the Knowledge Base.
4. Select the **Manage Private Keys** tab. A list of existing private keys (if any) appears on the page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(288).png)
5. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Add Data Key** popup appears.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(285).png)
6. Select **Add New Key** and click **Next**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
7. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Technolutions Rating.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer-friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “technolutions_rating.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as tabs when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Private key indicator**: This is selected by default, indicating that the key is private and intended only for this research source.
8. Click **Save**. The private data key appears on the research source summary page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(286).png)

**Advancement Example**

#### Creating a Shared Data Key

To create a data key (destination) that can be contributed to from multiple research sources:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears.
3. Click **Data Keys** on the right of the page. The **Research Data Keys** page appears.
4. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
5. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Estimated Capacity.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “estimated_giving_capacity.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as a tab when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Add to Research Sources**: Existing research sources appear here. Select the source or sources that will be associated with this data key.
6. Click **Save**. The new data key appears in the list on the **Research Data Keys** summary page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(289).png)

#### Creating a Private Key

To create a private data key specific to a research source:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears with a list of existing research sources.
3. Select an existing research source from the list. The research configuration editor appears.

> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Tip
> 
> For information on creating a new research source configuration, refer to the [Research Sources](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/research-research-sources) article in the Knowledge Base.
4. Select the **Manage Private Keys** tab. A list of existing private keys (if any) appears on the page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(290).png)
5. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Add Data Key** popup appears.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(296).png)
6. Select **Add New Key** and click **Next**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
7. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Technolutions Rating.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer-friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “technolutions_rating.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as tabs when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Private key indicator**: This is selected by default, indicating that the key is private and intended only for this research source.
8. Click **Save**. The private data key appears on the research source summary page.![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(291).png)

**Student Success Example**

#### Creating a Shared Data Key

To create a data key (destination) that can be contributed to from multiple research sources:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears.
3. Click **Data Keys** on the right of the page. The **Research Data Keys** page appears.
4. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
5. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Risk Score.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “risk_score.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as a tab when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Add to Research Sources**: Existing research sources appear here. Select the source or sources that will be associated with this data key.
6. Click **Save**. The new data key appears in the list on the **Research Data Keys** summary page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(292).png)

#### Creating a Private Key

To create a private data key specific to a research source:

1. Click **Database** on the Slate navigation bar. The **Database** page appears.
2. In the **Configurations** area, click **Research Configurations**. The **Research Configurations** summary page appears with a list of existing research sources.
3. Select an existing research source from the list. The research configuration editor appears.

> [!NOTE]
> 💡 Tip
> 
> For information on creating a new research source configuration, refer to the [Research Sources](https://knowledge.technolutions.net/docs/research-research-sources) article in the Knowledge Base.
4. Select the **Manage Private Keys** tab. A list of existing private keys (if any) appears on the page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(293).png)
5. Click **Add Data Key**. An **Add Data Key** popup appears.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(295).png)
6. Select **Add New Key** and click **Next**. An **Edit Data Key** popup appears.
7. Enter the following configurations:
  - **Name**: Enter a name for the data key, such as “Risk Details.”
  - **Key**: Provide a computer-friendly key (lower case, with no spaces or special characters), such as “risk_details.”
  - **Memo**: Add any desired descriptive text to provide additional information about the values stored in this key. The memo will appear as a pop-up when clicking the "i" icon when viewing the research data on the record.
  - **Category**: Select a category from the list, or select **Other** to create a new category. Categories appear as tabs when viewing the individual research item on a record.
  - **Status**: Set to **Active**.
  - **Data Type**: Select the type of data to be stored in this key. The options include: Real Number, Money, Integer, String (Paragraph), String, Link, Prompt Value, Date, Date/Time. If selecting **Prompt Value**, a **Prompt Key** select list appears.
  - **Prompt Key**: If the **Prompt Value** data type was selected, choose the appropriate prompt key from the list.
  - **Private key indicator**: This is selected by default, indicating that the key is private and intended only for this research source.
8. Click **Save**. The private data key appears on the research source summary page.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(294).png)