The Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre collaborates with Heart Institute investigators during all stages of the research process, from protocol design to drafting of a final manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal:
- Developing research design and analysis strategies
- Implementing methodological aspects of the experimental design
- Developing case record forms
- Designing and implementing databases
- Managing and monitoring data and data flow
- Coordinating data entry
- Generating standard and study-specific statistical reports
- Organizing and working with data-safety monitoring boards
- Implementing and conducting statistical analyses
- Participating in the generation of manuscripts
The Methods Centre provides these collaborative services to ensure that the latest experimental-design technologies and methods are available to Heart Institute researchers, that the data obtained in research studies are maintained at the highest level of quality and integrity, that the most appropriate and latest statistical analysis techniques are used, and that good clinical practices are followed.
Teaching Activities
The Centre’s staff provides statistical and epidemiological research training for residents, clinical fellows and fundamental scientists at the Heart Institute. Teaching modules include experimental designs, basic and advanced statistical methods, the design and analysis of randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, procedures for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, health technology assessment, economic evaluations and developing and evaluating decision support technologies.
The Centre’s staff can also coordinate training for research personnel in standard operating procedures (SOPs) designed to ensure good clinical practices and good laboratory practices in research study methods and data integrity and analysis.