Biomedical Statistics Core

Biomedical Statistics Core Center for Bio-behavioral Mechanisms of Eating Behavior SUMMARY/ABSTRACT We propose to establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) at the Sanford Center for Bio- behavioral Research (SCBR; Fargo, ND) in collaboration with the North Dakota State University (NDSU)

Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine (UNDSOM). This center will focus on conducting cutting-edge, innovative research on the mechanisms related to the onset and maintenance of eating disorders and eating behaviors. The purpose of

the Biomedical Statistics Core (BSC) is to create a methodological and statistical infrastructure supporting clinical and translational research and education focused on the mechanisms related to the onset and maintenance of eating disorders and eating behaviors. This core will allow efficient access to methodological

and biostatistical support by providing consultation, methodological and statistical support services, educational activities, and methodological and statistical mentoring and training opportunities. Objectives 1. To develop and implement a BSC at Sanford Center for Bio-behavioral Research that will provide and

maintain high quality methodological and statistical consultation and support services for clinical and translational research on the mechanisms related to the onset and maintenance of eating disorders and eating behaviors. 2. To provide methodological and statistical educational opportunities for COBRE Project Directors and

faculty in the form of seminars, colloquia, and workshops. These educational opportunities will focus on methods for identifying and evaluating mechanistic processes. 3. To provide mentoring and hands-on training opportunities for COBRE Project Directors and faculty interested in gaining analytic experience and further developing their statistical and methodological skills.

Methods The BSC will work with the COBRE Project Directors during the pre-grant, grant, and post-grant periods, assisting in study design, sample size calculation, power analysis, data collection methods, data storage and management, ongoing study monitoring, statistical analysis, interpretations of results, and assistance in

preparation of presentations and publications. The BSC will work with the Administrative Core and Human Subjects Core to provide relevant training opportunities in the areas of the ethical conduct of research, research design (e.g., sample size calculation and power analysis), mechanistic data analytic approaches,

grant writing, and professional development. In addition to these training opportunities, the BSC will also provide more intensive training in the form of ongoing mentoring or regular hands-on training for Project Directors who are interested in expanding their analytic capabilities.