Methods Core for Outcomes and Health Services Research
CHeSS coordinates a Methods Core for outcomes and health services research which is dedicated to providing CHeSS affiliates with high quality analytical and research assistance. The Methods Core is staffed with several experienced masters and doctoral level collaborators, and affiliates may request assistance in preparation of grant and contract proposals, data collection strategies, accessing large public-use datasets, database development, statistical recommendations on projects, and data analysis and interpretation.
The Methods Core is divided into three clusters based on a typical project lifecycle and the individual expertise of the staff. The three clusters work closely together to guide affiliates though the different stages of their research.
Methods Core Clusters
Data Collection Cluster
The Data Collection Cluster is concerned with the strategy and design of data capture. With an MA in Statistics and MS in Computer Sciences, Hui Tang can help facilitate data collection through the development of databases and the design of web-based data entry forms. She is also an expert in collecting real-time information using tablet PCs and handheld devices. In addition to her programming expertise, Ms. Tang has experience in experiment design, mixed models, pharmaceutical statistics, life contingencies and payment models and distribution-free statistics.
The Data Management Cluster aids researchers in transforming raw data into a manageable form by extracting data, cleaning it, creating variables, and then constructing a dataset for analysis. In addition to working with data that is the result of primary data collection, the Methods Core team can import large national databases such as NHANES or MEPS and create a convenient dataset in SAS or STATA to facilitate analysis of these data.
Data Analysis Cluster
The Data Analysis Cluster works to insure high quality data analysis. The Data Analysis Cluster collaborates with CHeSS affiliates on issues of study design, power analyses, sample size determination, missing data imputation, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. In addition, we are planning to add new capabilities in the social sciences (e.g. economics, measurement, survey instrument design).
Consulting
The Methods Core consulting fee structure for collaboration is as follows:
- First two hours: No charge
- Subsequent hours: $80/hr
- Grant preparation: No charge when Methods Core personnel are assigned effort (no less than 5% per person annually) in the project budget when submitted. This includes actual percentage of salary and fringe costs as a personnel expense, plus $137 for every 1% effort as a Methods Core Support Fee.
Please email kneckerm@bsd.uchicago.edu to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
For More Information
Please contact David Meltzer (dmeltzer@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu) or Kathryn Neckerman (kneckerm@bsd.uchicago.edu).
Other Resources
Research Poster Printing
CHeSS has negotiated special rates and free shipping for the production of presentation posters. See the following website for suggestions, sizes and prices: www.posterpresentations.com. Contact us for more details.
Chicago Census Research Data Center
Confidential (restricted-use) versions of NCHS and AHRQ data are available to qualified researchers at the Chicago Census Research Data Center (Chicago RDC) located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Read this health data summary for more details.
