The Statistics, Data Science, and Data Management (SDM) Core

The SDM Core will collaborate with other HIV Center Cores to develop and promote state-of-the-art approaches to study design, data science, and data analytic methods, including mixed-methods, and machine learning that can enhance the impact of and add value to Center research. The Core will create an online knowledge and resource hub to help researchers at all career stages utilize the most rigorous and innovative statistical, data science, and data management tools in their work. The Core will also provide expertise and resources to ensure rigorous, modern data management. Through the HIV Center Metadatabase, the SDM Core will provide searchable information about HIV datasets to facilitate greater utilization of existing research data, generate new insights, and support collaborations across ARCs and beyond the HIV Center. The SDM Core has three Aims. Aim 1 promises to provide consultation and support for state-of-the-art study design, data science, and machine learning methods. To meet Aim 1, the SDM Core will promote use of rigorous study designs and statistical and data analytic methods for all studies across the Center from the grant proposal through the manuscript development phase; and collaborate across Cores to develop new ways of utilizing cutting-edge statistical methods and machine learning strategies. Aim 2 pledges to develop and maintain an online knowledge and resource hub that builds study design skills, bolsters statistical knowledge, and improves communication of methods and results among HIV Center investigators and with stakeholder communities. To meet Aim 2, the SDM Core will produce the Digital Seminar Series comprising high-quality educational content on research design, statistical methods, data science, and database management; create and maintain an online portfolio of resource videos, step-by-step walkthroughs, and annotated examples of results sections for manuscript-writing and other communication strategies; and produce podcasts to communicate state-of-the art analysis methods and other new scientific results in HIV research. Aim 3 commits to facilitate rigorous data management and data harmonization as well as to collect and collate metadata about HIV-related studies both within the Center and between the Center and other HIV research organizations. To meet Aim 3, the SDM Core will maximize investigators’ and project staff’s understanding of methods to ensure data quality, data security, and tracking of all study elements. Additionally, the continued development of the HIV Center Metadatabase will improve scientific productivity and resource-sharing and facilitate projects transitioning to public-facing study data repositories in alignment with NIMH goals. The SDM Core will ensure the use of modern and rigorous scientific methods and data management tools across all HIV Center while educating HIV Center investigators, while leveraging the substantial resources of the Columbia University (CU) Department of Psychiatry/NYSPI Mental Health Data Science area and the CU Mailman School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics.