KUSM-W > Office of Research > Consulting

What is a biostatistician?

A biostatistician by definition specializes in the development and application of statistical theory and methods for the study of phenomena arising in the life sciences. Biostatisticians have earned a master’s or doctoral degree from a department of biostatistics or statistics. The Office of Research is staffed with three trained biostatisticians.

Do funding agencies require you to collaborate with a biostatistician?

A number of funding agencies have a clinical research standard that requires biostatistical support. The NIH Intramural Research Program standard states that: “…if the PI is not a skilled biostatistician, a biostatistician should be listed as an associate investigator on the protocol and should be involved in the protocol at all stages from design to analysis of results.”

www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/clinicalresearch/standards1.html

Some funding agencies have policies that specifically require biostatistical support during the grant application formulation stage. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. Policies and Guidelines Governing Clinical Research Grants states: “It is required that a biostatistician be included as a collaborator, and consulted during the formulation of [the grant] application.”

http://www.cff.org/research/files/Final%20Clinical%20Research.pdf

Why should you use the consulting services?

Because you want to produce the highest quality, most scientifically sound, fundable clinical research.

What happens when you don’t collaborate with a biostatistian?

A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association investigated “…the nature and frequency of statistician involvement in medical research and its relation to the final editorial decision.” “Research without methodological assistance was more likely to be rejected without review…” [Altman, D.G., Goodman, S.M. and Schroter, S., (2002) “How Statistical Expertise is Used in Medical Research”, JAMA 287 (21): 2817-2820.

Can anyone use the KUSM-W Office of Research consulting services?

Yes, the Office of Research is open to anyone including: KUSM-W Investigators, Outside Investigators, residents, and students.

How much biostatistics do you need to know?

You will be guided along the research steps, regardless of your level of understanding of biostatistics.

Will fees be charged?

Fees depend on the extent of consultant involvement with your project and your affiliation with the university. Contact the Office of Research regarding fees.

What will your first consulting session be like?

At the initial session, you will debrief the consultant about your research project and progress to date; you will discuss with the consultant your needs for biostatistical collaboration; your questions about consultant fees will be answered; and the first steps of collaboration will be negotiated.

How can you schedule a first consulting session?

You may either call or e-mail the Office of Research.

Office of Research
The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita
1010 N. Kansas St, Wichita, KS 67214
(316) 293-2617

For more information contact: Office of Research
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Last Modified: February 9, 2006