Methodology Core

拟议的UCSF多学科临床研究中心（MCRC）的方法论核心将作为所有MCRC项目和活动的枢纽，并允许该中心继续其关于风湿病健康差异的研究计划。方法论核心的主要目标是推进UCSF风湿病结果的临床研究，建立在当前MCRC期间开发的现有结构基础上，并通过额外的校外资金进行扩展。MCRC的一个关键组成部分是提供共享数据源，允许MCRC教师和学员的跨学科合作和富有成效的研究项目。方法论核心的具体目标是：为使用MCRC数据源的MCRC项目和非MCRC项目提供方法学和生物统计学支持和监督；处理所有数据收集工作，包括对数据收集人员的培训和监督；管理和分发数据；为核心单元数据的适当分析策略提供指导；并指导学员和初级教师开发和完成研究项目。

The Methodology Core of the proposed UCSF Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center (MCRC) will serve as the hub for all MCRC projects and activities and allow the Center to pursue its program of research on health disparities in the rheumatic diseases. The primary goal of the Methodology Core is to advance clinical research at UCSF in outcomes of rheumatic conditions, building upon the existing structure developed during the current MCRC and expanded through additional extramural funding. A key component of the MCRC is the provision of shared data sources, allowing for cross-disciplinary collaborations and productive research programs of MCRC faculty and trainees. The specific aims of the Methodology Core are to: provide methodological and biostatistical support and oversight to MCRC projects and non-MCRC projects that use MCRC data sources; handle all data collection, including training and supervision of data collection staff; manage and distribute the data; provide guidance in appropriate analysis strategies for Core Unit data; and provide mentorship to trainees and junior faculty in developing and completing research projects. The shared primary data sources within the Methodology Core Unit are the Lupus Outcomes Study and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes Study. Both studies are longitudinal, incorporating such varied modalities of data collection as survey interviews, medical chart reviews, laboratory assays, in-person assessments, and genotyping. The cohorts are diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and primary language The capacity to administer surveys in Spanish expands the MCRCs ability to understand the causes of disparities in onset, progression, health care, and outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The Methodology Core will fulfill its training mission through a broad range of activities, including individual mentorship, regular seminars in applied methods, and conferences devoted to clinical research in rheumatology. The Methodology Core leadership has a successful track record of fostering high quality research and attracting and advancing talented junior investigators. The educational component of the proposed Methodology Core will continue to support rigorous research methods in our trainees and foster collaborations across disciplines among investigators seeking to advance clinical research in rheumatology.