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Biostatistics and Data Services

The Biostatistics and Data Services (BDS) is located within the School of Nursing (SON) and offers a complete line of design, analysis, data management and data entry services. Formally organized in conjunction with the Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research (CBCR) (P20 NR08988, NL McCain, PI), the BDS currently supports a variety of research and clinical data for faculty and doctoral student research. The BDS is currently supported, in part, by funding from the NIH (P30 NR011403; MJ Grap, PI).

Services offered

  • Design of clinical studies
    The lynchpin of any clinical study is the study design. The BDS assists in the choice of optimal design, multiplicity correction, power and sample size analysis, statistical analysis plan and randomization schedules.
  • Analysis of clinical data
    Missing data, repeated measures and non-randomized subjects are typical complications of clinical data. Using a variety of statistical methodology, the BDS will bring meaning to the data often creating graphical illustrations of the statistical conclusions. Also, the BDS will assist in the creation of presentations and in the publication of study conclusions.
  • Data management
    From form design, question and answer formats, to the organization and dissemination of the data collection tools, to the data entry and review, the BDS coordinates the data collection process. The BDS uses a variety of data collection options including paper, electronic, automated data retrieval and scanning. Data files are prepared for statistical analysis and exported in a variety of formats including SAS, JMP, SPSS and MS Excel. All databases are routinely checked for validity and accuracy using established and proven protocols. In addition, all databases are backed up to an offsite location on a daily basis.
  • Data entry
    Data come to the BDS in a variety of formats including paper forms, TeleForm, MS Excel data files, PDA data files and other electronic data formats. All data that come to the BDS are entered into the appropriate database in a timely manner, regardless of its origin. Data entry is always done in the most accurate and efficient way possible with data monitoring and checking built in to ensure accuracy. All data is kept on a secure server and all electronic devices are encrypted to ensure the safety and security of the data.

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BDS personnel

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For more information

The services of the BDS are available to tenured (or tenure track) SON faculty and SON doctoral students by arrangement though their dissertation advisor. Other faculty (both with the School of Nursing and across the University and Health System) may have access to BDS services on a fee for service basis. For more information you may contact R.K. Elswick at rkelswic@vcu.edu.

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