Timeline Cluster

You can either start your own timeline from scratch by clicking the “Create your timeline” icon and then follow the help instructions or upload previous work or click one of the examples at the top of the screen to edit it.

Upload previous Work

If you want to upload previous work, click on the “Upload previous work” icon then either click the browse button to search for your file (default name is backup.txt) or paste the text from within your file into the box below and then click import.
Be aware that importing previous work will erase the current timeline.

Create your Timeline

Your timeline is made of blocks. There are 5 block types. To add a block just click on the corresponding icon.

Block Types

Step block
This will create a new step for you to edit.
Branch block
This will divide your timeline into 2 to 4 branches.
Null block
If the number or the timing of steps differs between arms, this will not display anything but allow line spacing in your timeline. Download example 4 to see the figure after the use of such a block.
Crossover block
This will display a cross to represent cross-over once you have downloaded your timeline. Add steps you want to crossover inside the displayed pink area. Download example 5 to see the figure after the use of such a block.
Loop block
This will display a loop to represent repeated steps once you have downloaded your timeline. Add steps you want to repeat inside the displayed green area. Download example 6 to see the figure after the use of such a block.

Step Details

Cluster step
Indicates that the step applies at the cluster level.
Participant step
Indicates that the step applies at the participant level.
Participant and Cluster step
Indicates that the step applies at both participant and cluster levels.
No precision on participant/cluster level.
Randomisation or Usual care. This icon should be used for randomisation step. It can also be used in the control arm, for the intervention-delivery step when it consists in usual care, as nothing is added by the trial at this stage for clusters and participants.
Indicates that blinding is complete at this stage. All involved protagonist are blinded to allocation. Also used for stages occurring before randomization, not because of blinding (as no allocation has been made) but because these steps cannot be affected by subsequent allocation. Background color will be black.
Indicates that blinding is partial at this stage. Blinding has been used to avoid bias, but not all protagonists are blinded to allocation. Background color will be grey.
Indicates that blinding is lacking at this stage. No involved protagonist is blinded. Background color will be white.
Standard step
This will display a standard rectangle block and not display a double arrow (default option for standard steps).
Randomization step
This will display a double arrow on the step, indicating this step corresponds to randomization.

Division Details

These two options apply only after dividing your timeline.

Merge division branches
This will display branches that are initially divided and then merge back into one unique branch.
Do not merge division branches
This displays branches that are initially divided and stay apart.

Add Blocks

Each block is preceded and followed by a vertical blue line

Hover your mouse over the blue line and select the block you want to insert at this position.

Remove Blocks

Each block provides a

Just click it to delete the block.
Be aware that deleting a Branch block, a Crossover block or a Loop block will erase all the contained blocks.

Step Title

When you fill in the title, the application suggests you some standard step titles (identification, recruitment, randomisation,...) but you can also type any other title manually.

Numbering steps

If the numbering of the steps is not updated automatically, you can edit the step number manually.

Complete the Table

For each step, you can give a description.

You can reorder the labels by a simple click and drag.

Download the Figure

Once finished, you can download your graph as a png file by clicking “Download it!”

If you'd like to make some modifications beforehand, feel free to navigate previous steps and change what you need. The figure will be automatically updated. The present version of this tool only allows you to save your timeline in a png format. However, it is possible to transfer the figure to a different image format using online tools.

Save your work

You may want to make further modifications to your timeline. Just click the “Download backup file” button and upload it during Uploading step at a later date.

Alternatively, save your work by copying the lines of text provided inside the box below (Json format) and pasting them in to a text editor (like Word). To continue at a later date, paste this text at step 0: upload previous work.

Upload previous Work

Create your Timeline

Complete the Table

Download the Figure

Save your Work

Tutorial

Import a backup file:

Import text manually:

Tutorial

Display column labels

Display final dots

Tutorial

Contact: agnes.caille@univ-tours.fr
Developer: jeremypasco37@gmail.com

How to cite this tool:
Caille A, Kerry S, Tavernier E, et al. Timeline cluster: a graphical tool to identify risk of bias in cluster randomised trials. BMJ 2016;354:i4291.

Upload previous Work

Create your Timeline

Block Types

Step Details

Division Details

Add Blocks

Remove Blocks

Step Title

Numbering steps

Complete the Table

Download the Figure

Save your work

Import your work

Import a backup file:

Import text manually:

Timeline Cluster

Complete the Table

Parameters

Check the Figure and Download it!

Save your Work

Download backup file:

Export data manually: