DMS Core resources and services include:

• Development of data and information management and monitoring systems
• Provide the database infrastructure for the clinical research data collected as part of the KU ADC on our Clinical Cohort
• Provide trained and experienced statistical personnel to help determine the necessary data to be captured and timing for studies
• Provide support for KU ADC pilot projects
• Generate data extracts of KU ADC Clinical Cohort data for investigators of projects approved by the KU ADC Executive Committee
• Provide statistical expertise for research projects proposing to use KU ADC resources from beginning, developmental phases through the final interpretation and dissemination of results phases
• Participate as authors with investigators to ensure proper interpretation of study findings, and writing statistical methods, results, and conclusion sections of presentations and manuscripts
• Develop novel statistical methodology when needed for proper study interpretation
• Provide a liaison between KU ADC cores with other cores and research projects

Authorship

If the biostatistics, informatics or bioinformatics faculty and staff had substantial participation in the study design, analysis or interpretation of data, along with drafting portion of the manuscript, they will be included as a co-author on the manuscript. They will also be given the opportunity to review the final manuscript for approval prior to submission. This is in adherence to the guidelines set out by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Grant acknowledgments

All manuscripts that utilize the DMS Core to contribute to their project development, data collection, data analysis, or interpretation need to notify the Core Director of the publication prior to submission and include an acknowledgment to support by the Data Management and Statistical Core, which was provided in part by funding from the National Institute on Aging award number P30 AG072973.

Timeline for grant preparations applications

The strongest grant proposals are those in which the proposal team is assembled at least two to four months before submission. Holding team meetings every three weeks or more often and having at least two major revisions of the proposal are optimal. When bioinformatics faculty or statistics faculty have sufficient time to do their best jobs, the likelihood of funding is significantly enhanced.

With rare exception, we cannot provide assistance with proposals without a minimum of one month advance notice. As the core faculty and staff are working on multiple projects, grant applications and teaching courses for KUMC at a given time, sufficient notice is needed to allocate the time needed for grant preparation. This includes time for meetings with the faculty member working on the grant preparation to go over the aims of the grant, study design, budgeting and any questions that might arise with the grant. It is also expected that the faculty member working on the grant will also be including on the grant with the appropriate FTE.

Use of bioinformatics and statisticians' names on proposal

The core does not allow an investigator to use the name of a Ph.D. or M.S. bioinformaticians or biostatisticians on a grant or contract proposal unless they have fully participated in the development of the proposal and can vouch for the study design, analysis workflows and analysis plan.