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Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit Research Support:

How we can help you

The Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (CEBU) is jointly supported by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics to provide training, advice and support in research design and analysis to researchers on the Royal Children's Hospital campus.

For researchers at all levels including trainees (e.g. Paediatric registrars/fellows, PhD, MD, MMed, MPH students etc), CEBU offers the following (see separate document for AMS students and their supervisors):

1) Research training courses for a nominal fee:

• Research methodology (Getting Started in Clinical Research, Introduction to Biostatistics, Sample Size Estimation, Introduction to Clinical Trials)
• Statistical and data management software packages (Stata and EpiData)

2) Advice and assistance in the following areas:

• Development and refinement of your research question
• Protocol development
• Study design
• Questionnaire design
• Sample size calculations
• Analysis planning
• Data Services 
• Statistical analysis
• Presentation of results

Initial assessment of projects and input from CEBU staff is provided via consultations that may be arranged through CEBU's secretary call 9345 6368 or donna.desair@mcri.edu.au.  For the first consultation an Initial Consultation From (Word 30KB) is required, signed by a supervisor where applicable.

Extended services in any of these areas may also be available, depending on the nature of the project and staff availability.

Greater involvement of and collaboration with CEBU staff in research projects (e.g. co-investigator status, member of project team) is strongly encouraged as early as possible in the development of the project (e.g. at the design stage and/or at the time of writing the protocol). The extent of continuing involvement and related resource implications will require negotiation.

Notes for trainees and their supervisors:

It is required that the trainee's supervisor attend at least the first consultation. Depending on the complexity of the project, supervisors may also need to attend subsequent consultations with the trainee.  This approach is intended to prevent miscommunication between trainee, supervisor and CEBU staff, and to improve efficiency by avoiding the need to re-book consultations to gain additional information from supervisors.

Regarding simple data entry, data cleaning and preliminary data processing tasks, it is expected that trainees undertake to learn the appropriate tools (e.g. EpiData, Stata) in order to conduct these themselves.  If additional help is required, trainees should book an appointment with CEBU staff through CEBU's secretary.  However, they are expected to conduct simple analyses themselves following the provision of advice, which may include example analyses. This is in the best interest of the personal development of the trainee, and is usually necessary in order for students to claim full authorship of the work they submit for assessment. It is also necessary in order to ensure fair allocation of access to CEBU resources. 

Analysis work performed by CEBU staff must be by arrangement between the supervisor and the Director of CEBU (or appropriate deputy).  Where appropriate (e.g. funded studies, extensive work required), payment of an hourly rate may be sought for CEBU staff time.