Biostatistical and Epidemiological Resources

Members of Research Design and Biostatistics Core provide the following kinds of assistance through their collaboration:

Study Design and Proposal Development:

  • Formulate wording of testable hypotheses and associated primary aims
  • Suggest a optimal study design
  • Help evaluate related published literature on planned measures for adequate evidence of reliability and validity
  • Determine the needed sample size or estimated power and write this up
  • Write the statistical analysis plan for the protocol
  • Respond to relevant parts of a critique by reviewers of the protocol

Implementation and Study Conduct:

  • Review proposed data collection instruments and other measures for reliability, validity, and suitability for the planned data analysis
  • Establish coding rules with data entry staff, such as handling of missing data and invalid responses on questionnaires
  • Respond to questions about methodology, including protocol irregularities and changes.

Data management:

We connect our collaborators with Ms. Jessie Lee of CTSC Bioinformatics core who helps with the following steps

  • Specify/design the data management system (for manual data entry and/or storage of data)
  • Set up a tracking/audit system for monitoring participant

Data Analysis:

  • Audit data for completeness and validity
  • Plan, direct, interpret, and report any interim analysis, and advise on changes
  • Plan, direct, interpret, and report the final data analysis
  • Present and explain analytic results to co-investigators and project team

Presentation/Publication:

  • Design and direct preparation of tables and publication graphs
  • Collaborate in writing papers, abstracts, presentations
  • Review data accuracy and interpretation of inferential statistics in all reports of study methods and results
  • Respond to journal referees with written comments and/or additional analyses or data

Other Services:

  • Provide tutorial paper on various methodologies for self-reading
  • Write 'letter of support' for grants
  • Identify researchers from participating institutions for collaborations on projects and pilot grants