CHeSS Outcomes Methods Core

Data Collection | Data Management | Data Analysis | Fee | Location/Hours | Other Services

The Center for Health in the Social Sciences (CHeSS) includes an Outcomes Methods Core (OMC) which is dedicated to providing CHeSS affiliates with high quality analytical and research assistance. The Outcomes 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 OMC is divided into three clusters based on a typical project lifecycle and the individual expertise of the Outcomes Methods Core staff. The three clusters work closely together to guide affiliates though the different stages of their research. A description of the Outcomes Methods Core clusters is below.

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. [Back to Top]

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 OMC 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. [Back to Top]

The Data Analysis Cluster works closely with both the Data Collection Cluster and the Data Management Cluster to insure high quality analysis of the data. Led by Biostatistician Juned Siddique, DrPH, a member of the Department of Health Studies Biostatistics Computing Lab, 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.  Please email David Meltzer or Juned Siddique with requests and/or suggestions.  [Back to Top]

Consulting Fee Schedule
First two hours of collaboration: No charge
Subsequent collaborative effort: Billed as an hourly rate $80/hr
Grant preparation collaboration: No charge when CHeSS Outcomes 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 CHeSS Outcome Methods Core Support Fee. [Back to Top]

Please email jsiddique@health.bsd.uchicago.edu to discuss opportunities for collaboration.

Location and Hours
The Center for Health and the Social Sciences (CHeSS) administrative offices are located in the BSD Dean’s office suite on the first floor of the Albert Merritt Billing Hospital at the east end of the G-corridor, through the glass doors labeled “Center for Health and the Social Sciences”.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The main phone number is (773) 702-8600. [Back to Top]

Other Services

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 CHeSS for more details. [Back to Top]