METHODOLOGICAL CONSULTING
INiBICA offers a methodological and statistical support service that is currently outsourced but provides its researchers with an interdisciplinary Team of biostatisticians, biologists, mathematicians, and physicists who have extensive knowledge and experience in providing advanced statistical advice at any stage of a biomedical study or research project:
- Optimal experimental design (sample size estimation, etc.).
- Database review and debugging.
- Data processing and analysis using the most appropriate statistical methodology to address each stated objective.
- Preparation of scientific and technical reports.
- Assistance in interpreting the results obtained.
Similarly, this methodological advisory service helps INiBICA researchers make their R&D&I Projects reports more competitive when submitting them to regional and national calls for proposals. In particular, it focuses on reviewing the sections on methodology, design, and statistical analysis, as well as providing suggestions regarding format and structure in other sections (abstract, Team, background, references, hypotheses, objectives, and materials and methods).
In addition, the team reviews protocols and research articles, particularly with regard to methodology and statistical analysis; and responds to journal editors and reviewers on all matters related to the statistical aspects of the studies conducted by its Team.
PROTOCOL
Research studies or statistical surveys.
If researchers are interested in requesting the methodological advisory service, they must follow these steps:
1) Notify your service provider in advance that you need this service: lourdes.rodriguez@inibica.eu / diana.regueiro@inibica.eu
- This form consists of the following sections:
- Responsible researcher's contact information.
- Objective of the study.
- Hypotheses that are being proposed and that we hope to answer.
- Study variables involved in the problem to be solved.
- Details of the request.
3) Submit the form and any relevant Documentation (database, protocol, reference articles, etc.) to the INiBICA administrative staff, who will forward the request to the manager in charge of the methodological advisory service.
4) The methodological advisory service will contact Responsible researcher to begin the work or agree on an approximate timeline for its start and completion.
5) Throughout the course of the study, the researcher may communicate with Team from the methodological advisory service to resolve questions and determine the work to be carried out. INiBICA management staff must always be copied on all communications to facilitate their monitoring and oversight of the work.
The standard turnaround time for research projects is 3–4 weeks from the date of the request (report submission). These timeframes vary depending on INiBICA’s priorities, the number of pending requests and active Projects s, and the level of complexity and scope of the requested work.
INiBICA'S PRIORITIES
- Review the guidelines for upcoming calls for applications, particularly Projects from the Department of Health of the Regional Government of Andalusia and Projects from the National Institute of Health Research ( ISCIII).
- Response to editors and/or reviewers of scientific Publications s regarding work performed by the methodological advisory service.
- Work that results in scientific Publications , and/or doctoral dissertations.
- Studies to be presented as conference papers.
Other types of requests must be evaluated and prioritized based on the number of requests and Projects currently in progress.
REVIEW OF R&D&I REPORTS
For each call for proposals, INiBICA will inform researchers of the deadlines for online submission of their Projects. It will also specify the deadlines for requesting the methodological and statistical review service.
To this end, researchers must submit their proposal in the format specified for each call for proposals. It should be as complete as possible. Submitting the proposal well in advance of the deadline will allow for a more thorough review of the proposal and a more detailed evaluation of the project to be submitted. It will also allow researchers to receive support in addressing specific statistical needs that pose challenges requiring resolution.
Manuscripts will be reviewed in the order in which applications are received, and Documentation.
DATA PROTECTION AND CONFIDENTIALITY
All information and data provided to the methodological advisory service are subject to complete confidentiality for an indefinite period, as defined in the current contract between INiBICA and the methodological advisory service.
Data protection regulations will be strictly followed. Therefore, any document or database containing sensitive data (patient names, etc.) must be immediately deleted and removed (email, attachments, and copies). The researcher must resubmit all Documentation and databases after removing such confidential information.