The Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Institute at Saint Louis University School of Medicine conducts data-driven research to improve the health of individuals and populations.
The AHEAD Institute unites SLU researchers from various fields and disciplines to improve patient and population health, advance health care quality and decrease health care costs. Through collaborations with national research networks, the institute develops and utilizes data resources to provide multiple data sets that meet the needs of individual research. The institute advances research through development and execution of novel analytic methods, predictive modeling, machine learning, and integrated, wearable health devices. Our expert faculty and staff assist with study design, survey design, REDCap project design and implementation, qualitative study design and analysis, and optimal data source selection. To utilize our data and research support services, please complete a service request.
Services
AHEAD pre-grant submission services support activities related to the successful completion of a grant application. These services include feasibility assessment, sample size and power analysis and research strategy writing. These services are provided free of charge (up to 10 hours) for grant proposals incorporating AHEAD services in their budget. These services exclude analyses for pilot studies.
It is recommended that the service request is submitted at least three months prior to the grant submission deadline.
Method guidance and project planning services are specifically designed for project planning assistance, unrelated to grant submissions. These non-analytic services include protocol development prior to data collection activities (e.g., planning for the design of primary data collection and Epic pull protocols for IRB submission). Please note that all IRB submissions are the responsibility of the primary investigator.
Biostatistics Core services provide statistical programming and analytic support for propjects with defined research aims and hypotheses. Data sources include data supplied by the primary investigator, data warehoused by the AHEAD Institute, and publicly available data. The Biostatistics Core staff can identify the most suitable data source, perform data procurement, analysis and validation, create appropriate tables and figures, and write pertinent sections for abstracts and manuscripts.
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) services include REDCap survey design, build and implementation support. REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. REDCap is specifically geared to support data capture for research studies and can be used to collect virtually any type of data. For comprehensive details about REDCap's capabilities, please visit our REDCap webpage.
For any questions, contact redcap@health.slu.edu.
AHEAD Services Workflow
To request AHEAD services, please complete a service request to help us tailor our assistance to your project's needs.
Upon receipt of your completed request, the subsequent steps will be taken:
- The AHEAD program coordinator will schedule a one-hour complimentary consultation with data managers, biostatisticians and core faculty, as applicable.
- Following the initial consultation, a scope of work document will be developed and
approved by all parties. Please note that the contents of each scope of work varies
depending on the specifications of the project. Typically, the scope of work will
include the following:
- Service request summary
- Required data domains
- Required forms to be signed and completed (i.e. data use agreements)
- Estimated costs, timelines and delivery dates
Service requests are reviewed weekly. Please allow seven to ten business days for AHEAD staff to contact you. Please refer to our policies and procedures for data and research support services for additional information regarding expected timelines for data requests and grant application deliverables.
For all AHEAD services, primary investigators should anticipate two weeks between the date of the service request submission and the date of the initial consultation. Project timelines depend on the complexity of the request and the time required for certain activities such as data cleaning and statistical programming.
All timelines related to project deliverables and outcomes will be outlined in the Scope of Work by AHEAD personnel. Anticipated timelines are subject to change and will be actively discussed with the primary investigator.