Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core

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ABSTRACT – BIOSTATISTICS, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND RESEARCH DESIGN CORE The BERD Core has helped to transform clinical and translational research in Rhode Island during Phase I of Advance-CTR providing guidance in study design, data collection, data analysis, framing of results and drawing reasoned inferences. BERD has also provided training in research principles and a variety of essential tools. The result has been a markedly improved quality of research applications, increased diffusion of research support to young investigators, a high level of satisfaction and excitement in the research community, and a desire for even more support. In Phase II, the BERD Core will expand its support into new areas, using new modalities and reaching out to new audiences. We will work to connect the many isolated groups of analysts with whom we have connected who are embedded within Advance-CTR partners. Our goal is to evolve toward a sustainable infrastructure that meets the research needs of the entire state. By capitalizing on the existing resources of partner institutions, our efforts will help maximize the value of their existing investments as well as point to gaps in needs that can be filled through collaboration or expansion. Our centralized web portal already efficiently matches investigators to a highly qualified and diverse set of experts with long-term consultative experience and a reservoir of faculty research leaders skilled at teaching. We will expand consultative and training support, including adding a second Core Co-Lead, for designing and analyzing qualitative and mixed methods data. To increase enrollment and boost retention for training, flipped and asynchronous online modalities will be emphasized. The Advance-CTR website will be expanded to host educational pages. In addition to continuing support for the Pilot Project Program, Professional Development and Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics, and Cyberinfrastructure Enhancement (BIBCE) Core, we will collaborate with the new Community Engagement and Outreach Core to develop strategies to increase community participation in study design and data collection, design studies that properly address the health needs of the community and create results presentations that inform community decision making. To accomplish these goals, we propose the following Specific Aims. Specific Aim 1: Provide easily accessible, multidisciplinary collaborative support for quantitative and qualitative research design, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination that can work seamlessly with and within existing health research structures. Specific Aim 2: Provide training in study design, epidemiology, biostatistics and qualitative and mixed methods to clinical and translational researchers and research staff, delivered in a variety of formats, both synchronous and asynchronous (in-person and remote), using the latest educational methods and technologies. Specific Aim 3: Facilitate the development and widespread dissemination of innovative design and analytic methods and tools for clinical and translational research.