Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Research Design (BERD) – Overview
| The BERD core is here to assist ICTS investigators and scholars with many tasks: |
|---|
| Design clinical/translational research |
| Analyze data |
| Plan & Coordinate multi-center studies |
| Prepare protocols |
| Design REDCap and other data management systems |
| Create electronic case report forms (eCRFs) |
| Review projects with CRTC scholars and their mentors |
| Teach analytic techniques |
| Promote research reproducibility |
| Develop new study instruments and analytic approaches |
Successful consultations often evolve into collaborative relationships where BERD members are an integral part of the research team.
What to Expect
Reply to Service Request: Once a request for service is submitted, please allow for 2 to 5 business days for a reply. Appointments are typically scheduled within a week, but during periods of high demand, it may take longer to get an appointment.
Initial Consultations: Initial consultations are intended to enable the BERD to assess your needs and to provide a basic level of consultation to facilitate more extensive ongoing support, if necessary.
Work Expectations: As BERD staff varies in background, if your study requires particular skills, we will try to find an appropriate person to fulfill that need. Thus, initial consultations are intended to enable the BERD to assess your needs and to provide a basic level of consultation to facilitate more extensive ongoing support.
Turnaround and Timelines: While the BERD always strives to accommodate deadlines, it generally takes weeks to months to conduct most analyses or to provide thorough grant preparation assistance. As the deadline approaches, our ability to provide substantial support diminishes. Please contact us early!
Triaging of External Requests: If a request submitted to the BERD demands services outside of our scope, we will forward these requests to the appropriate ICTS core for additional methodological/quantitative expertise.
To receive the most comprehensive assistance that can be provided, please contact the BERD as soon as possible. Some general recommendations include:
| Types of Assistance: | Month(s) Prior to Deadline: |
|---|---|
| PO1, SPORE, SCOR grants | At least 3-6 months* |
| Most grants (RO1, K awards) | At least 2 months, ideally 3 months* |
| Smaller statistical sections for grants | At least 1 month |
| Most analyses | At least 2 months** |
| Simple summary statistics | At least 1 month |
| Manuscripts | At least 2-4 months** |
| Abstracts | At least 1 month |
**Contingent upon data quality, format, amount, complexity, as well as the number and maturity of the study questions addressed.
Please communicate any deadlines as far in advance as possible.