Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Support (BERD)

Biostatistics Core offers expert consultation and support in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) to assist HSC investigators in their research endeavors. Our goal is to provide accessible services, user-friendly courses, and innovative tools to address methodological challenges in clinical and translational research.

Services Offered

Preliminary Review

A high-level consultation provided prior to funding or data collection to guide study design, feasibility, and analytic approach. This service helps investigators refine research questions, identify appropriate methodologies, and strengthen early-stage project planning.

Note: This service is intended for pre-data collection. A new request must be submitted once data are available for analysis to re-enter the consultation queue.

Sample Size Estimate

Provides guidance on determining the appropriate sample size needed to achieve study objectives. Estimates are based on study design, expected effect sizes, variability, and feasibility considerations to support efficient and scientifically rigorous planning.

Statistical/Data Analysis

Collaborative support for data cleaning, management, and statistical analysis. Services include selection and implementation of appropriate analytic methods, interpretation of results, and development of tables, figures, and summaries to support research outputs.

Power Calculation

Calculation of statistical power to assess whether a study is adequately equipped to detect meaningful effects. This service supports both study planning and interpretation, helping investigators understand the likelihood of detecting significant results given their design and sample size.

Manuscript Writing/Reviewing Assistance

Support for preparing manuscripts for publication, including statistical methods write-up, results interpretation, and review of tables and figures. Feedback is provided to improve clarity, accuracy, and alignment with journal expectations. Assist in writing/editing methods and results sections for abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts, as well as responding to reviewers' comments.

Grant Proposal/Research Design Consultation

Expert consultation to strengthen grant applications and research protocols. Services include study design recommendations, analytic planning, and development of statistical sections to enhance scientific rigor and competitiveness.

Request Biostatistical Support

Completion of BERD Biostatistician Information Request form is necessary to join the first-come, first-serve queue for consultation.
Avoid contacting any biostatisticians directly for scheduling.
Request support as early as possible in the protocol development process, especially for grant applications (at least 6 weeks ahead of internal grant deadlines).
Larger data sets may require additional time for analysis.

Appointment Policies:

Requests are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once your request is received, we will contact you based on the availability of our biostatisticians to schedule an initial consultation.
Bring clear articulation of your study question, relevant papers on similar variables, and any pilot data you may have.

Billing Policy:

Invoicing requires two index numbers (primary and secondary).
All billable work is charged at a rate of $109/hour.
UNMHSC faculty investigators receive 5 hours of supported consultation per calendar year.
Service hours beyond the sponsored hours will be billed accordingly.

Authorship Policy:

If biostatistical support meets the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria, the biostatistician should be acknowledged as a co-author.
For grants developed with BERD biostatistical support, the level of biostatistician involvement should be discussed and agreed upon between the PI and the biostatistician.
Citing the Grant and PMCID access

For any additional questions, please contact SW CACTI Research Navigator.

Request SW CACTI Services

Cite the Grant:
This project is supported by an award from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health under grant number UM1TR005466.

Link the Grant:
To your publication in NCBI My Bibliography (Pandhi & Radovick, PIs)