diff --git a/app/controllers/answers_controller.rb b/app/controllers/answers_controller.rb
index a657eb5..9c9f70e 100644
--- a/app/controllers/answers_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/answers_controller.rb
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
         { msg: _('There is no plan with id %{id} for which to create or update an answer') %{ :id => p_params[:plan_id] }})
       return
     end
+    q = Question.find(p_params[:question_id])
 
     Answer.transaction do
       begin
@@ -28,10 +29,17 @@
         if p_params[:question_option_ids].present?
           @answer.touch() # Saves the record with the updated_at set to the current time. Needed if only answer.question_options is updated
         end
+        if q.question_format.rda_metadata?
+          @answer.update_answer_hash(JSON.parse(params[:standards]), p_params[:text])
+          @answer.save!
+        end
       rescue ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound
         @answer = Answer.new(p_params.merge({ user_id: current_user.id }))
         @answer.lock_version = 1
         authorize @answer
+        if q.question_format.rda_metadata?
+          @answer.update_answer_hash(JSON.parse(params[:standards]), p_params[:text])
+        end
         @answer.save!
       rescue ActiveRecord::StaleObjectError
         @stale_answer = @answer
diff --git a/app/controllers/question_formats_controller.rb b/app/controllers/question_formats_controller.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ced3624
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/controllers/question_formats_controller.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+class QuestionFormatsController < ApplicationController
+  # do we need authorizaton on this? it will only return the URL for the rda api
+  # down the line we will add more methods for other external api's
+  def rda_api_address
+    render json: {
+      'url' => QuestionFormat.rda_metadata.first.description
+    }.to_json
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/app/models/answer.rb b/app/models/answer.rb
index c9e3d6c..a2a625f 100644
--- a/app/models/answer.rb
+++ b/app/models/answer.rb
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@
       else
         plan.touch  # Force updated_at changes if nothing changed since save only saves if changes were made to the record
       end
-    end 
+    end
   end
-  
+
   ##
   # Associations
 	belongs_to :question
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
     answer_copy.save!
     return answer_copy
   end
-  
+
   # This method helps to decide if an answer option (:radiobuttons, :checkbox, etc ) in form views should be checked or not
   # Returns true if the given option_id is present in question_options, otherwise returns false
   def has_question_option(option_id)
@@ -86,4 +86,37 @@
   def non_archived_notes
     return notes.select{ |n| n.archived.blank? }.sort!{ |x,y| y.updated_at <=> x.updated_at }
   end
+
+
+  ##
+  # Returns the parsed JSON hash for the current answer object
+  # Generates a new hash if none exists for rda_questions
+  #
+  # @return [Hash] the parsed hash of the answer.
+  #                Should have keys 'standards', 'text'
+  #                'standards' is a list of <std_id>: <title> pairs
+  #                'text' is the text from the comments box
+  def answer_hash
+    default = {'standards' => {}, 'text' => ''}
+    begin
+      h = self.text.nil? ? default : JSON.parse(self.text)
+    rescue JSON::ParserError => e
+      h = default
+    end
+    return h
+  end
+
+  ##
+  # Given a hash of standards and a comment value, this updates answer
+  # text for rda_questions
+  #
+  # @param [standards] a hash of standards
+  # @param [text]  option comment text
+  # nothing returned, but the status of the text field of the answer is changed
+  def update_answer_hash(standards={},text="")
+    h = {}
+    h['standards'] = standards
+    h['text'] = text
+    self.text = h.to_json
+  end
 end
diff --git a/app/models/concerns/exportable_plan.rb b/app/models/concerns/exportable_plan.rb
index fe34e50..c55aa2f 100644
--- a/app/models/concerns/exportable_plan.rb
+++ b/app/models/concerns/exportable_plan.rb
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 module ExportablePlan
   extend ActiveSupport::Concern
-  
+
   included do
-    
+
     def as_pdf(coversheet = false)
       prepare(coversheet)
     end
-    
+
     def as_csv(headings = true, unanswered = true)
       hash = prepare(false)
-      
+
       CSV.generate do |csv|
         hdrs = (hash[:phases].length > 1 ? [_('Phase')] : [])
         if headings
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
         else
           csv << _('Answer')
         end
-        
+
         csv << hdrs.flatten
         hash[:phases].each do |phase|
           phase[:sections].each do |section|
@@ -31,24 +31,24 @@
               else
                 flds << [ sanitize_text(answer_text) ]
               end
-              
+
               csv << flds.flatten
             end
           end
         end
       end
     end
-    
-    private 
+
+    private
       def prepare(coversheet = false)
         hash = coversheet ? prepare_coversheet : {}
         template = Template.includes(phases: { sections: {questions: :question_format } }).
                             joins(phases: { sections: { questions: :question_format } }).
                             where(id: self.template_id).first
-        
+
         hash[:title] = self.title
         hash[:answers] = self.answers
-        
+
         # add the relevant questions/answers
         phases = []
         template.phases.each do |phase|
@@ -65,19 +65,19 @@
               else
                 txt << question.text
               end
-              sctn[:questions] << { id: question.id, text: txt }
+              sctn[:questions] << { id: question.id, text: txt, format: question.question_format }
             end
             phs[:sections] << sctn
           end
           phases << phs
         end
         hash[:phases] = phases
-        
+
         record_plan_export(:pdf)
-        
+
         hash
       end
-    
+
       def prepare_coversheet
         hash = {}
         # name of owner and any co-owners
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@
           attribution << role.user.name(false)
         end
         hash[:attribution] = attribution
-        
+
         # Org name of plan owner's org
         hash[:affiliation] = self.owner.present? ? self.owner.org.name : ''
-        
+
         # set the funder name
         hash[:funder] = self.funder_name.present? ? self.funder_name : (self.template.org.present? ? self.template.org.name : '')
 
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
         hash[:customizer] = customizer
         hash
       end
-    
+
       def record_plan_export(format)
         exported_plan = ExportedPlan.new.tap do |ep|
           ep.plan = self
@@ -118,9 +118,9 @@
         end
         exported_plan.save
       end
-      
+
       def sanitize_text(text)
         if (!text.nil?) then ActionView::Base.full_sanitizer.sanitize(text.gsub(/&nbsp;/i,"")) end
       end
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/app/models/exported_plan.rb b/app/models/exported_plan.rb
index bc42e4b..bb79837 100644
--- a/app/models/exported_plan.rb
+++ b/app/models/exported_plan.rb
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@
 
   VALID_FORMATS = ['csv', 'html', 'pdf', 'text', 'docx']
 
-  validates :format, inclusion: { 
+  validates :format, inclusion: {
     in: VALID_FORMATS,
-    message: -> (object, data) do 
-      _('%{value} is not a valid format') % { :value => data[:value] } 
-    end 
+    message: -> (object, data) do
+      _('%{value} is not a valid format') % { :value => data[:value] }
+    end
   }
   validates :plan, :format, presence: {message: _("can't be blank")}
 
diff --git a/app/models/question_format.rb b/app/models/question_format.rb
index b7d6afc..b6d1e36 100644
--- a/app/models/question_format.rb
+++ b/app/models/question_format.rb
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@
   # Associations
   has_many :questions
 
-  enum formattype: [ :textarea, :textfield, :radiobuttons, :checkbox, :dropdown, :multiselectbox, :date ]
+  enum formattype: [ :textarea, :textfield, :radiobuttons, :checkbox, :dropdown, :multiselectbox, :date, :rda_metadata ]
   attr_accessible :formattype
-  
+
   validates :title, presence: {message: _("can't be blank")}, uniqueness: {message: _("must be unique")}
-  
+
   ##
   # Possibly needed for active_admin
   #   -relies on protected_attributes gem as syntax depricated in rails 4.2
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
   # Retrieves the id for a given formattype passed
   scope :id_for, -> (formattype) { where(formattype: formattype).pluck(:id).first }
-  
+
   ##
   # Define Bit Field Values so we can test a format without doing string comps
   # Column type
diff --git a/app/views/answers/_new_edit.html.erb b/app/views/answers/_new_edit.html.erb
index caccfc1..ca97561 100644
--- a/app/views/answers/_new_edit.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/answers/_new_edit.html.erb
@@ -2,14 +2,59 @@
 <!--
   This partial creates a form for each type of question. The local variables are: plan, answer, question, readonly
 -->
+<!-- Question text -->
+<p>
+  <strong><%= raw question.text %></strong>
+</p>
+<% q_format = question.question_format %>
+<% if q_format.rda_metadata? %>
+  <% answer_hash = answer.answer_hash %>
+  <div class="rda_metadata"><button class="remove-standard" style="display:none;"></button>
+    <div class="selected_standards"><strong><%=_("Your Selected Standards:")%></strong></br><ul class="list bullet"></ul></div>
+    <div class="rda_right" style="float:right;width:50%;margin-bottom:5px;display:none;">
+      OR Search:</br>
+      <input type="text" data-provide="typeahead" class="standards-typeahead"></input></br>
+      <button class="btn btn-primary select_standard_typeahead"><%=_("Add Standard")%></button>
+    </div>
+    <div class="subject"><%=_("Please select a subject")%></br>
+      <select name="subject" class="form-control"></select>
+    </div>
+    <div class="sub-subject"><%=_("Please select a sub-subject")%></br>
+      <select name="sub-subject" class="form-control"></select>
+    </div>
+    </br>
+    <div class="suggested-answer-div">
+      <span class="suggested-answer-intro">
+          <strong><%=_("Browse Standards") %></strong>
+      </span>
+
+      <div class="browse-standards-border">
+        <p class="suggested-answer">
+          <strong><%=_("Please wait, Standards are loading")%></strong>
+        </p>
+      </div>
+      <div>
+        <a href="#" class="custom-standard"><strong>Standard not listed?  Add your own.</strong></a>
+        <div class="add-custom-standard" style="display:none;">
+          <input type="text" class="custom-standard-name"></input>
+          <button class="btn btn-primary submit_custom_standard">Add Standard</button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+<% end %>
+
 <%= form_for answer, url: {controller: :answers, action: :create_or_update}, html: {method: :post, 'data-autosave': question.id, class: 'form-answer' } do |f| %>
   <% if !readonly %>
     <%= f.hidden_field :plan_id %>
     <%= f.hidden_field :question_id %>
     <%= f.hidden_field :lock_version %>
+    <% if q_format.rda_metadata? %>
+      <%= hidden_field_tag :standards, answer_hash['standards'].to_json %>
+    <% end %>
   <% end %>
   <fieldset <%= 'disabled' if readonly %>>
-    <% if question.option_based? %>
+    <% if question.option_based? || question.question_format.rda_metadata? %>
         <%= render(partial: 'questions/new_edit_question_option_based', locals: { f: f, question: question, answer: answer }) %>
     <% elsif question.question_format.textfield?%>
         <%= render(partial: 'questions/new_edit_question_textfield', locals: { f: f, question: question, answer: answer }) %>
@@ -30,4 +75,4 @@
       </div>
     </div>
   <% end %>
-<% end %>
\ No newline at end of file
+<% end %>
diff --git a/app/views/questions/_add_question.html.erb b/app/views/questions/_add_question.html.erb
index 72045fa..5a9c3f1 100644
--- a/app/views/questions/_add_question.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/questions/_add_question.html.erb
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
       :id,
       :title,
       QuestionFormat.id_for(QuestionFormat.formattypes[:textarea])),
-      {}, 
+      {},
       class: "form-control",
       'data-toggle': 'tooltip',
       'data-html': true,
@@ -44,13 +44,13 @@
     <div class="col-md-offset-2">
       <%= render "/question_options/option_fields", f: f, q: @new_question %>
       <!--display for selecting comment box when multiple choice is being used-->
-      <div class="checkbox">
-        <label>
-          <%= f.check_box :option_comment_display, as: :check_boxes %><%= _('Display additional comment area.') %>
-        </label>
-      </div>
     </div>
   </div>
+  <div class="form-group col-md-10" data-attribute="option_comment" style="display:none;">
+    <label>
+      <%= f.check_box :option_comment_display, as: :check_boxes %><%= _('Display additional comment area.') %>
+    </label>
+  </div>
   <!--Question default_value -->
   <div class="form-group col-md-10" data-attribute="default_value">
     <%= f.label(:default_value, _('Default answer'), class: "control-label") %>
@@ -90,4 +90,3 @@
     </div>
   </div>
 <% end %>
-
diff --git a/app/views/questions/_edit_question.html.erb b/app/views/questions/_edit_question.html.erb
index 7d354f9..3de20c4 100644
--- a/app/views/questions/_edit_question.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/questions/_edit_question.html.erb
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
                 :id,
                 :title,
                 question.question_format_id),
-                {}, 
+                {},
                 class: "form-control",
                 'data-toggle': 'tooltip',
                 'data-html': true,
@@ -42,13 +42,14 @@
             <div class="col-md-offset-2">
               <%= render "/question_options/option_fields", f: f, q: question %>
               <!--display for selecting comment box when multiple choice is being used-->
-              <div class="checkbox">
-                <label>
-                  <%= f.check_box :option_comment_display, as: :check_boxes %><%= _('Display additional comment area.') %>
-                </label>
-              </div>
             </div>
           </div>
+          <% comment_disp = question.question_format.option_based? || question.question_format.rda_metadata? %>
+          <div class="form-group col-md-10" data-attribute="option_comment" style="<%=comment_disp ? '' : 'display:none;'%>">
+            <label>
+              <%= f.check_box :option_comment_display, as: :check_boxes %><%= _('Display additional comment area.') %>
+            </label>
+          </div>
           <!--Question default_value -->
           <div class="form-group col-md-10" data-attribute="default_value" style="<%= question.question_format.textfield? || question.question_format.textarea? ? '' : 'display: none;' %>">
             <%= f.label(:default_value, _('Default answer'), class: "control-label") %>
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@
           </div>
           <!-- Themes -->
           <div class="form-group col-md-10">
-            <%= render partial: 'org_admin/shared/theme_selector', 
+            <%= render partial: 'org_admin/shared/theme_selector',
                        locals: { f: f, all_themes: Theme.all.order("title"),
                                  popover_message: _('Select one or more themes that are relevant to this question. This will allow similarly themed organisation-level guidance to appear alongside your question.') } %>
           </div>
diff --git a/app/views/questions/_new_edit_question_option_based.html.erb b/app/views/questions/_new_edit_question_option_based.html.erb
index b418360..171bf4d 100644
--- a/app/views/questions/_new_edit_question_option_based.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/questions/_new_edit_question_option_based.html.erb
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
         </div>
     <% end %>
 <% elsif question.question_format.dropdown? || question.question_format.multiselectbox? %>
-    <% 
+    <%
         options_html = ""
         options.each do |op|
             options_html += answer.has_question_option(op.id) ?
                 "<option value=#{op.id} selected=\"selected\">#{op.text}</option>" :
-                "<option value=#{op.id}>#{op.text}</option>" 
+                "<option value=#{op.id}>#{op.text}</option>"
         end
     %>
     <%= f.label(:question_option_ids, raw(question.text), class: 'control-label') %>
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@
 <% end %>
 <div class="form-group">
 <% if question.option_comment_display %><!-- Comment text area for option_based questions -->
+    <% text = question.question_format.rda_metadata? ? answer.answer_hash['text'] : answer.text %>
     <%= label_tag('answer[text]', _('Additional Information'), class: 'control-label') %>
-    <%= text_area_tag('answer[text]', answer.text, id: "answer-text-#{question.id}", class: "form-control tinymce_answer") %>
+    <%= text_area_tag('answer[text]', text, id: "answer-text-#{question.id}", class: "form-control tinymce_answer") %>
 <% end %>
 </div>
diff --git a/app/views/shared/export/_plan.erb b/app/views/shared/export/_plan.erb
index e62522f..f9fdf65 100644
--- a/app/views/shared/export/_plan.erb
+++ b/app/views/shared/export/_plan.erb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     <% if @show_coversheet %>
       <%= render partial: '/shared/export/plan_coversheet' %>
     <% end %>
-    
+
     <% @hash[:phases].each do |phase| %>
       <div style="page-break-before:always;"></div> <!-- Page break before each phase -->
       <!-- If there is more than one phase show the plan title and phase title -->
@@ -41,15 +41,27 @@
 
             <% answer = @plan.answer(question[:id], false) %>
             <% blank = (answer.present? && answer.is_valid?) ? answer.text.gsub(/<\/?p>/, '').gsub(/<br\s?\/?>/, '').chomp.blank? : true %>
-            <% if blank && @show_unanswered %>
+            <% options = answer.present? ? answer.question_options : [] %>
+            <% if blank && @show_unanswered && options.blank? %>
               <p><%= _('Question not answered.') -%></p>
             <% elsif !blank %>
-              <% if answer.question_options.length > 0 %>
+              <% if options.present?%>
                 <ul>
-                  <% answer.question_options.each do |opt| %>
+                  <% options.each do |opt| %>
                     <li><%= opt.text %></li>
                   <% end %>
                 </ul>
+              <% end %>
+              <% if question[:format].rda_metadata? %>
+                <% ah = answer.answer_hash %>
+                <% if ah['standards'].present? %>
+                  <ul>
+                    <% ah['standards'].each do |id, title| %>
+                      <li><%= title %></li>
+                    <% end %>
+                  </ul>
+                <% end %>
+                <p><%= raw ah['text'] %></p>
               <% else %>
                 <p><%= raw answer.text %></p>
               <% end %>
@@ -59,4 +71,4 @@
       <% end %> <!-- sections.each -->
     <% end %>
   </body>
-</html>
\ No newline at end of file
+</html>
diff --git a/config/branding_example.yml b/config/branding_example.yml
index dfd82d3..454bd9d 100644
--- a/config/branding_example.yml
+++ b/config/branding_example.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
         admin_privileges: true
         added_as_coowner: true
         feedback_requested: true
-        feedback_provided: true 
+        feedback_provided: true
       owners_and_coowners:
         visibility_changed: true
       admins:
diff --git a/config/routes.rb b/config/routes.rb
index ee376eb..4de6205 100644
--- a/config/routes.rb
+++ b/config/routes.rb
@@ -172,6 +172,9 @@
       post 'create_or_update', on: :collection
     end
 
+    # Question Formats controller, currently just the one action
+    get 'question_formats/rda_api_address' => 'question_formats#rda_api_address'
+
     resources :notes, only: [:create, :update, :archive] do
       member do
         patch 'archive'
@@ -302,7 +305,7 @@
           get 'unpublish', action: :unpublish, constraints: {format: [:json]}
         end
       end
-      
+
       get 'template_options' => 'templates#template_options', constraints: {format: [:json]}
       get 'download_plans' => 'plans#download_plans'
     end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 2ca0b37..bb5acc9 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -425,15 +425,15 @@
   add_index "user_identifiers", ["user_id"], name: "index_user_identifiers_on_user_id"
 
   create_table "users", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.string   "firstname",              limit: 255
-    t.string   "surname",                limit: 255
-    t.string   "email",                  limit: 255, default: "", null: false
-    t.string   "orcid_id",               limit: 255
-    t.string   "shibboleth_id",          limit: 255
-    t.datetime "created_at"
-    t.datetime "updated_at"
-    t.string   "encrypted_password",     limit: 255, default: ""
-    t.string   "reset_password_token",   limit: 255
+    t.string   "firstname"
+    t.string   "surname"
+    t.string   "email",                  default: "", null: false
+    t.string   "orcid_id"
+    t.string   "shibboleth_id"
+    t.datetime "created_at",                          null: false
+    t.datetime "updated_at",                          null: false
+    t.string   "encrypted_password",     default: ""
+    t.string   "reset_password_token"
     t.datetime "reset_password_sent_at"
     t.datetime "remember_created_at"
     t.integer  "sign_in_count",          limit: 4,   default: 0
diff --git a/lib/assets/javascripts/application.js b/lib/assets/javascripts/application.js
index 9671418..f0c99af 100644
--- a/lib/assets/javascripts/application.js
+++ b/lib/assets/javascripts/application.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 // Page specific JS
 import './views/answers/edit';
+import './views/answers/rda_metadata';
 import './views/annotations/add';
 import './views/annotations/edit';
 import './views/contacts/new';
diff --git a/lib/assets/javascripts/views/answers/rda_metadata.js b/lib/assets/javascripts/views/answers/rda_metadata.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0f6a71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/assets/javascripts/views/answers/rda_metadata.js
@@ -0,0 +1,406 @@
+import { isUndefined, isObject } from '../../utils/isType';
+
+$(() => {
+  // url for the api we will be querying
+  let url = '';
+
+  // key/value lookup for standards
+  const descriptions = {};
+  // cleaned up structure of the API results
+  const minTree = {};
+  // keeps track of how many waiting api-requests still need to run
+  let noWaiting = 0;
+
+
+  // prune the min_tree where there are no standards
+  // opporates on the principal that no two subjects have the same name
+  function removeUnused(name) {
+    const num = Object.keys(minTree).find(x => minTree[x].name === name);
+    // if not top level standard
+    if (isUndefined(num)) {
+      // for each top level standard
+      Object.keys(minTree).forEach((knum) => {
+        const child = Object.keys(minTree[knum].children).find(x =>
+          minTree[knum].children[x].name === name);
+        if (isObject(child)) {
+          delete minTree[knum].children[child];
+          $(`.rda_metadata .sub-subject select option[value="${name}"]`).remove();
+        }
+      });
+    } else {
+      delete minTree[num];
+      // remove min_tree[num] from top-level dropdowns
+      $(`.rda_metadata .subject select option[value="${name}"]`).remove();
+    }
+  }
+
+
+  function getDescription(id) {
+    $.ajax({
+      url: url + id.slice(4),
+      type: 'GET',
+      crossDomain: true,
+      dataType: 'json',
+    }).done((results) => {
+      descriptions[id] = {};
+      descriptions[id].title = results.title;
+      descriptions[id].description = results.description;
+      noWaiting -= 1;
+    });
+  }
+
+
+  // init descriptions lookup table based on passed ids
+  function initDescriptions(ids) {
+    ids.forEach((id) => {
+      if (!(id in descriptions)) {
+        noWaiting += 1;
+        getDescription(id);
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  // takes in a subset of the min_tree which has name and standards properties
+  // initializes the standards property to the result of an AJAX POST
+  function getStandards(name, num, child) {
+    // slice -4 from url to remove '/api/'
+    noWaiting += 1;
+    $.ajax({
+      url: `${url.slice(0, -4)}query/schemes`,
+      type: 'POST',
+      crossDomain: true,
+      data: `keyword=${name}`,
+      dataType: 'json',
+    }).done((result) => {
+      if (isUndefined(child)) {
+        minTree[num].standards = result.ids;
+      } else {
+        minTree[num].children[child].standards = result.ids;
+      }
+      if (result.ids.length < 1) {
+        removeUnused(name);
+      }
+      noWaiting -= 1;
+      initDescriptions(result.ids);
+    });
+  }
+
+  // clean up the data initially returned from the API
+  function cleanTree(apiTree) {
+    // iterate over api_tree
+    Object.keys(apiTree).forEach((num) => {
+      minTree[num] = {};
+      minTree[num].name = apiTree[num].name;
+      minTree[num].children = [];
+      if (apiTree[num].children !== undefined) {
+        Object.keys(apiTree[num].children).forEach((child) => {
+          minTree[num].children[child] = {};
+          minTree[num].children[child].name = apiTree[num].children[child].name;
+          minTree[num].children[child].standards = [];
+          getStandards(minTree[num].children[child].name, num, child);
+        });
+      }
+      // init a standards on top level
+      minTree[num].standards = [];
+      getStandards(minTree[num].name, num, undefined);
+    });
+  }
+
+
+  // create object for typeahead
+  function initTypeahead() {
+    const data = [];
+    const simpdat = [];
+    Object.keys(descriptions).forEach((id) => {
+      data.push({ value: descriptions[id].title, id });
+      simpdat.push(descriptions[id].title);
+    });
+    const typ = $('.standards-typeahead');
+    typ.typeahead({ source: simpdat });
+  }
+
+  function initStandards() {
+    // for each metadata question, init selected standards according to html
+    $('.rda_metadata').each(function () {
+      // list of selected standards
+      const selectedStandards = $(this).find('.selected_standards .list');
+      // form listing of standards
+      const formStandards = $(this).next('form').find('#standards');
+      // need to pull in the value from frm_stds
+      const standardsArray = JSON.parse(formStandards.val());
+      // init the data value
+      formStandards.data('standard', standardsArray);
+      Object.keys(standardsArray).forEach((key) => {
+        // add the standard to list
+        if (key === standardsArray[key]) {
+          selectedStandards.append(`<li class="${key}">${key}<button class="remove-standard"><i class="fa fa-times-circle"></i></button></li`);
+        } else {
+          selectedStandards.append(`<li class="${key}">${descriptions[key].title}<button class="remove-standard"><i class="fa fa-times-circle"></i></button></li>`);
+        }
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  function waitAndUpdate() {
+    if (noWaiting > 0) {
+      // if we are waiting on api responces, call this function in 1 seccond
+      setTimeout(waitAndUpdate, 1000);
+    } else {
+      // update all the dropdowns/ standards explore box (calling on subject
+      // will suffice since it will necisarily update sub-subject)
+      $('.rda_metadata .subject select').change();
+      initStandards();
+      initTypeahead();
+    }
+  }
+
+  // given a subject name, returns the portion of the min_tree applicable
+  function getSubject(subjectText) {
+    const num = Object.keys(minTree).find(x => minTree[x].name === subjectText);
+    return minTree[num];
+  }
+
+  // given a subsubject name and an array of children, data, return the
+  // applicable child
+  function getSubSubject(subsubjectText, data) {
+    const child = Object.keys(data).find(x => data[x].name === subsubjectText);
+    return data[child];
+  }
+
+  function updateSaveStatus(group) {
+    // update save/autosave status
+    group.next('form').find('fieldset input').change();
+  }
+
+  // change sub-subjects and standards based on selected subject
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('change', '.subject select', (e) => {
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const subSubject = group.find('.sub-subject select');
+    const subjectText = target.find(':selected').text();
+    // find subject in min_tree
+    const subject = getSubject(subjectText);
+    // check to see if this object has no children(and thus it's own standards)
+    if (subject.children.length === 0) {
+      // hide sub-subject since there's no data for it
+      subSubject.closest('div').hide();
+      // update the standards display selector
+      $('.rda_metadata .sub-subject select').change();
+    } else {
+      // show the sub-subject incase it was previously hidden
+      subSubject.closest('div').show();
+      // update the sub-subject display selector
+      subSubject.find('option').remove();
+      subject.children.forEach((child) => {
+        $('<option />', { value: child.name, text: child.name }).appendTo(subSubject);
+      });
+      // once we have updated the sub-standards, ensure the standards displayed
+      // get updated as well
+      $('.rda_metadata .sub-subject select').change();
+    }
+  });
+
+  // change standards based on selected sub-subject
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('change', '.sub-subject select', (e) => {
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const subject = group.find('.subject select');
+    const subSubject = group.find('.sub-subject select');
+    const subjectText = subject.find(':selected').text();
+    const subjectData = getSubject(subjectText);
+    const standards = group.find('.browse-standards-border');
+    let standardsData;
+    if (subjectData.children.length === 0) {
+      // update based on subject's standards
+      standardsData = subjectData.standards;
+    } else {
+      // update based on sub-subject's standards
+      const subsubjectText = subSubject.find(':selected').text();
+      standardsData = getSubSubject(subsubjectText, subjectData.children).standards;
+    }
+    // clear list of standards
+    standards.empty();
+    // update list of standards
+    Object.keys(standardsData).forEach((num) => {
+      const standard = descriptions[standardsData[num]];
+      standards.append(`<div style="background-color:#EAEAEA;border-radius:3px"><strong>${standard.title}</strong><div style="float:right"><button class="btn btn-primary select_standard" data-standard="${standardsData[num]}">Add Standard</button></br></div><p>${standard.description}</p></div>`);
+    });
+  });
+
+  // when 'Add Standard' button next to the search is clicked, we need to add
+  // this to the user's selected list of standards.
+  // update the data and val of hidden standards field in form
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('click', '.select_standard_typeahead', (e) => {
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const selected = group.find('ul.typeahead li.active');
+    const selectedStandards = group.find('.selected_standards .list');
+    // the title of the standard
+    const standardTitle = selected.data('value');
+    // need to find the standard
+    let standard;
+    Object.keys(descriptions).forEach((standardId) => {
+      if (descriptions[standardId].title === standardTitle) {
+        standard = standardId;
+      }
+    });
+    selectedStandards.append(`<li class="${standard}">${descriptions[standard].title}<button class="remove-standard"><i class="fa fa-times-circle"></i></button></li>`);
+    const formStandards = group.next('form').find('#standards');
+    // get the data for selected standards from the data attribute 'standard'
+    // of the hidden field #standards within the answer form
+    let frmStdsDat = formStandards.data('standard');
+    // need to init data object for first time
+    if (typeof frmStdsDat === 'undefined') {
+      frmStdsDat = {};
+    }
+    // init the key to standard id and value to standard.
+    // NOTE: is there any point in storing the title or description here?
+    // storing the title could make export easier as we wolnt need to query api
+    // but queries to the api would be 1 per-standard if we dont store these
+    frmStdsDat[standard] = descriptions[standard].title;
+    // update data value
+    formStandards.data('standard', frmStdsDat);
+    // update input value
+    formStandards.val(JSON.stringify(frmStdsDat));
+    updateSaveStatus(group);
+  });
+
+  // when a 'Add standard' button is clicked, we need to add this to the user's
+  // selected list of standards
+  // update the data and val of hidden standards field in form
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('click', '.select_standard', (e) => {
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const selectedStandards = group.find('.selected_standards .list');
+    // the identifier for the standard which was selected
+    const standard = target.data('standard');
+    // append the standard to the displayed list of selected standards
+    selectedStandards.append(`<li class="${standard}">${descriptions[standard].title}<button class="remove-standard"><i class="fa fa-times-circle"></i></button></li>`);
+    const formStandards = group.next('form').find('#standards');
+    // get the data for selected standards from the data attribute 'standard'
+    // of the hidden field #standards within the answer form
+    let frmStdsDat = formStandards.data('standard');
+    // need to init data object for first time
+    if (isUndefined(frmStdsDat)) {
+      frmStdsDat = {};
+    }
+    // init the key to standard id and value to standard.
+    frmStdsDat[standard] = descriptions[standard].title;
+    // update data value
+    formStandards.data('standard', frmStdsDat);
+    // update input value
+    formStandards.val(JSON.stringify(frmStdsDat));
+    updateSaveStatus(group);
+  });
+
+  // when a 'Remove Standard' button is clicked, we need to remove this from the
+  // user's selected list of standards.  Additionally, we need to remove the
+  // standard from the data/val fields of standards in hidden form
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('click', '.remove-standard', (e) => {
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const listedStandard = target.closest('li');
+    const standardId = listedStandard.attr('class');
+    // remove the standard from the list
+    listedStandard.remove();
+    // update the data for the form
+    const formStandards = group.next('form').find('#standards');
+    const frmStdsDat = formStandards.data('standard');
+    delete frmStdsDat[standardId];
+    // update data value
+    formStandards.data('standard', frmStdsDat);
+    // update input value
+    formStandards.val(JSON.stringify(frmStdsDat));
+    updateSaveStatus(group);
+  });
+
+  // show the add custom standard div when standard not listed clicked
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('click', '.custom-standard', (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const addStandardDiv = $(group.find('.add-custom-standard'));
+    addStandardDiv.show();
+  });
+
+  // when this button is clicked, we add the typed standard to the list of
+  // selected standards
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('click', '.submit_custom_standard', (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    const target = $(e.currentTarget);
+    const group = target.closest('.rda_metadata');
+    const selectedStandards = group.find('.selected_standards .list');
+    const standardName = group.find('.custom-standard-name').val();
+    selectedStandards.append(`<li class="${standardName}">${standardName}<button class="remove-standard"><i class="fa fa-times-circle"></i></button></li>`);
+    const formStandards = group.next('form').find('#standards');
+    // get the data for selected standards from the data attribute 'standard'
+    // of the hidden field #standards within the answer form
+    let frmStdsDat = formStandards.data('standard');
+    // need to init data object for first time
+    if (typeof frmStdsDat === 'undefined') {
+      frmStdsDat = {};
+    }
+    // init the key to standard id and value to standard.
+    frmStdsDat[standardName] = standardName;
+    // update data value
+    formStandards.data('standard', frmStdsDat);
+    // update input value
+    formStandards.val(JSON.stringify(frmStdsDat));
+    updateSaveStatus(group);
+  });
+
+
+  function initMetadataQuestions() {
+    // find all elements with rda_metadata div
+    $('.rda_metadata').each((idx, el) => {
+      // $(this) is the element
+      const sub = $(el).find('.subject select');
+      // var sub_subject = $(this).find(".sub-subject select");
+      Object.keys(minTree).forEach((num) => {
+        $('<option />', { value: minTree[num].name, text: minTree[num].name }).appendTo(sub);
+      });
+    });
+    waitAndUpdate();// $(".rda_metadata .subject select").change();
+  }
+
+
+  // callback from url+subject-index
+  // define api_tree and call to initMetadataQuestions
+  function subjectCallback(data) {
+    // remove unused standards/substandards
+    cleanTree(data);
+    // initialize the dropdowns/selected standards for the page
+    initMetadataQuestions();
+  }
+
+  // callback from get request to rda_api_address
+  // define url and make a call to url+subject-index
+  function urlCallback(data) {
+    // init url
+    url = data.url;
+    // get api_tree structure from api
+    $.ajax({
+      url: `${url}subject-index`,
+      type: 'GET',
+      crossDomain: true,
+      dataType: 'json',
+    }).done((result) => {
+      subjectCallback(result);
+    });
+  }
+
+  // get the url we will be using for the api
+  // only do this if page has an rda_metadata div
+  if ($('.rda_metadata').length) {
+    $.getJSON('/question_formats/rda_api_address', urlCallback);
+  }
+  // when the autosave or save action occurs, this clears out both the list of
+  // selected standards, and the selectors for new standards, as it re-renders
+  // the partial.  This "autosave" event is triggered by that JS in order to
+  // allow us to know when the save has happened and re-init the question
+  $('.rda_metadata').on('autosave', (e) => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    // re-initialize the metadata question
+    initMetadataQuestions();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/assets/javascripts/views/questions/sharedEventHandlers.js b/lib/assets/javascripts/views/questions/sharedEventHandlers.js
index e29cfea..484dece 100644
--- a/lib/assets/javascripts/views/questions/sharedEventHandlers.js
+++ b/lib/assets/javascripts/views/questions/sharedEventHandlers.js
@@ -3,15 +3,18 @@
   const selected = source.value;
   const defaultValue = $(source).closest('form').find('[data-attribute="default_value"]');
   const questionOptions = $(source).closest('form').find('[data-attribute="question_options"]');
+  const opComment = $(source).closest('form').find('[data-attribute="option_comment"]');
   switch (selected) {
     case '1':
       questionOptions.hide();
+      opComment.hide();
       defaultValue.show();
       defaultValue.find('[data-attribute="textfield"]').hide();
       defaultValue.find('[data-attribute="textarea"]').show();
       break;
     case '2':
       questionOptions.hide();
+      opComment.hide();
       defaultValue.show();
       defaultValue.find('[data-attribute="textarea"]').hide();
       defaultValue.find('[data-attribute="textfield"]').show();
@@ -22,6 +25,12 @@
     case '6':
       defaultValue.hide();
       questionOptions.show();
+      opComment.show();
+      break;
+    case '7':
+      defaultValue.hide();
+      questionOptions.hide();
+      opComment.show();
       break;
     default :
       break;
@@ -29,4 +38,3 @@
 };
 
 export { onChangeQuestionFormat as default };
-
diff --git a/lib/assets/stylesheets/overrides.scss b/lib/assets/stylesheets/overrides.scss
index cce87cb..d8a3e33 100644
--- a/lib/assets/stylesheets/overrides.scss
+++ b/lib/assets/stylesheets/overrides.scss
@@ -164,19 +164,19 @@
   margin-right: 25px;
 }
 
-/* Overrides ul list */ 
+/* Overrides ul list */
 #modal-permissions ul {
   list-style-type: none;
 }
 
-/* Overrides list-group */ 
+/* Overrides list-group */
 #modal-permissions .list-group li:nth-child(1){
   border-top: 0 none;
 }
 
-/* Overrides list-group-item */ 
+/* Overrides list-group-item */
 #modal-permissions .list-group-item {
-  height: 30px; 
+  height: 30px;
   padding: 5px 15px;
 }
 
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@
 
 .tooltip-inner {
   min-width: 320px;
-  max-width: 100%; 
+  max-width: 100%;
   text-align: left;
 }
 
@@ -493,3 +493,25 @@
 .input-group-addon {
   border-radius: 0px;
 }
+
+/* rda styling */
+.browse-standards-border {
+  border: 1px solid $grey;
+  -webkit-border-radius: 0px;
+     -moz-border-radius: 0px;
+          border-radius: 0px;
+  padding: 10px 10px 5px 10px;
+  margin-bottom:10px;
+  overflow-y: scroll;
+  max-height: 300px;
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+.rda_metadata .form-control {
+  width: auto;
+}
+
+.remove-standard {
+  border: none;
+  background: none;
+}
diff --git a/lib/tasks/initialize_data.rake b/lib/tasks/initialize_data.rake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6813718
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/tasks/initialize_data.rake
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+namespace :initialize_data do
+  desc "Add RDA Question Type"
+  task rda_ques: :environment do
+    rda_q_title = 'RDA Metadata Standards'
+    # check if already in the database
+    rda_q = QuestionFormat.find_by(title: rda_q_title)
+    if rda_q.blank?
+      rda_q = QuestionFormat.new()
+      rda_q.title = rda_q_title
+      puts 'Question format does not exist, adding'
+    else
+      puts 'Question format already exists, updating'
+    end
+    rda_q.option_based = false # keeping this false as options not stored locally
+    rda_q.formattype = QuestionFormat.formattypes[:rda_metadata]
+    rda_q.description = "https://dmponline-test.dcc.ac.uk/rda/api/" # TODO: Update to permanant API address once HTTPS is added
+    if rda_q.save
+      puts 'Sucessfully added/updated'
+    else
+      puts 'QuestionFormat not added/updated'
+    end
+  end
+end