Posted 11/07/2007

New group provides support for health sciences research
 

By Chris Horn

Health sciences faculty who need biostatistical support or other related help with their research have a new toolbox standing by.

It's called the Health Sciences Research Core (HSRC), a group of University faculty and staff who can consult and collaborate on data management and analysis and methodological, biostatistical, and epidemiologic research and study design. HSRC is supported by the University's health sciences units and the Research and Health Sciences division.

For now, HSRC's services are available to researchers in medicine, social work, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. It's anticipated that other departments, such as biology and psychology, will consider joining that group of participants.

"Most universities with large health science research enterprises have support units like this," said Dr. Robert McKeown, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor and director of HSRC. "Some provide biostatistical support only, a few do only methodological research, and some, like us, do both."

HSRC's services include a Biostatistics Collaborative Unit that will perform methodological research and collaboration. Researchers who need new approaches to research problems can find assistance with this unit, directed by Dr. James Hardin, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor.

A second unit, Data Support Services, provides assistance in managing and analyzing data and interpreting results. The group also provides sample size calculations and scans and archives data. "If someone has research methods and study design well in hand and just needs help with the data management or making sense of the data that's collected, this is the unit to turn to," McKeown said. Dr. Robert Moran, a faculty member in epidemiology and biostatistics and the Center for Research in Nutrition, directs Data Support Services.

Data Portal and Repository, HSRC's third unit, will provide access to existing databases for analysis and plans to offer electronic archive storage for data collected from completed University projects. "We have a library of many national health surveys with huge amounts of data on nutrition and health, ambulatory care, nursing home care, and vital statistics data since the 1970s," said McKeown.

"We also want to be seen as the place to entrust data for other users. By de-identifying subjects or limiting access to the data, we can provide a safe repository that can also provide important information for other researchers."

In addition to its unit directors, HSRC has a full-time biostatistician and a half-time position for data portal services. As additional expertise and services are required in the future, HSRC will call on other University resources such as the statistics department and the survey lab in the Institute of Public Service and Policy Research.

Many of HSRC's basic services are coverered by support from health sciences units. Additional services are provided by a fee schedule, grant budgets, or contracts.