Statistical Consulting Resources For BioSci Researchers
Researchers affiliated with the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences have access to statistical analysis services at no cost through either the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Unit (BERD) or Center for Statistical Consulting Unit (CSC)
Both entities offer almost identical services. The choice between the two entities is typically determined based on the specific expertise needed and any prior working relationship. If you need assistance determining which group to contact, please email the director Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie (jricksod@uci.edu) and she can help guide you to the right statistician. Both BERD and the CSC offer the first hour of consultation free on new projects.
BERD
BERD is housed within the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, part of the Office of Research. The ICTS BERD unit provides free 30-minute consultations for general analysis questions to UCI researchers. The drop-in sessions are ideal for researchers who have quick/simple questions, or if you’re not sure what you need and are seeking general advice. They are time-limited and are not intended to address complex issues.
Virtual appointments are available on Tuesdays between 12:00pm – 2:00pm. The BERD portal requires a UCInetID login. If you do not have a UCInetID, please contact Ericka Whitton at ewhitton@hs.uci.edu to book your drop-in appointment.
CSC
CSC is housed within the Department of Statistics in the School of Information and Computer Sciences. The team provides efficient database creation and management services to streamline your research data handling. The CSC portal does not require a UCInetID login.
Navigating the Consultation Process
Step 1
Request a Consultation
Begin by submitting a request. Respective links are listed above.
Step 2
Within 3 business days:
Request is reviewed by the director, who might reach out with follow up questions (depending on how clear the submitter is).
Step 3
Within 4-5 business days:
Request is assigned to a statistician who will contact the researcher directly, assuming no additional clarification is needed.
What You Should Know Before Working With BERD/CSC
Assistance with Dissertations or Theses: Graduate students are permitted to use BERD/CSC services. However, if a graduate student wishes to enter into a formal agreement to obtain data analysis assistance from a statistical consultant, BERD/CSC require the student’s primary advisor contact BERD/CSC directly acknowledging awareness of the student’s choice to access our services for the purposes of their dissertation or thesis. Please note that they do not assist with coursework or qualifying exams.
Complex Data Sets and Data Management: Large complex databases often require a considerable amount of data management. The extra time necessary to create an analyzable dataset can significantly increase the cost of the project. Datasets like All of Us and TriNetX that have their own user interfaces have not been designed to allow for easy analysis and it has been found to be challenging to use. BERD/CSC will discuss the complexities and challenges of any large database with you so that you are fully informed at the beginning of the project.
Data Privacy Policy: BERD/CSC cannot accept data with personally identifiable information (PII) included. It is incumbent upon the researcher to remove any PII from the data before it is provided to the statistician. Failure to do so may result in a delay in the start of the project until this issue has been resolved. Please note, hiding columns in Excel or any other database manager does not constitute removal. All columns with PII must be deleted/removed.
Deadlines Should Be Realistic: Please consider the time needed to review, adjust statistical methods as needed, and follow up. Please plan to start at least 6 weeks before the due date for assistance with study design, protocol development, and preparation. Data analysis, depending on the complexity, may range from a few hours to many months. Please plan ahead.
Effective Collaboration with a Statistician: Please refer to this informative article to learn more about what to expect when collaborating with a statistician.
Free Hour Policy: The first hour of consultation between the researcher and statistician on new projects is free for all clients. This initial consultation is to determine the researcher’s needs and address the scope of the project, deadlines, and authorship. It is not intended for analysis. UCI researchers with general analysis questions should sign up for a free BERD drop-in session.
Payment Options: The School of Biological Sciences has provided limited funding for faculty, staff, and student researchers. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If this funding is depleted, it is the responsibility of the investigator to secure additional funding and provide and account number for recharge.
Scopes of Work (SOWs): Required for all projects and must be completed before work on the project may begin.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): Please review the standard operating procedures at the beginning of your project.