The Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) key function provides support in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology and research design to CCTS researchers. Services include consultations on study design for clinical trials, community-based participatory research, and population-based (epidemiologic) studies, and quantitative data analysis. These services are provided to support pilot studies, grant submissions, and publications. In addition, BERD members review protocols; the optimal time to seek input on a protocol is before it is submitted to the CCTS for a formal review.

The target audience of CCTS researchers for these services includes:

Please scroll down for additional information about these services and how to access them!

BERD faculty, working with the Educational/Career Development key function, have been instrumental in developing platforms in the College of Public Health to provide training in clinical and translational science to meet the needs of CTS trainees.

MS in Clinical Research Design is targeted to students with prior advanced degrees, including faculty physicians who wish to improve their quantitative research skills and CTS trainees interested in population-based research.

PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics an innovative program offered jointly by the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is designed as a training ground for future translational epidemiologists and biostatisticians who will gain valuable clinical experience as research assistants in the BERD key function or related translational projects.

Study Design Consultation: Consultations occur at the initial stage of study planning, preferably before IRB submission. Design issues vary by study type (clinical trial, community-based participatory research, or population-based study). In general, these issues pertain to the development and conduct of the study and could include possible participants, selection criteria, intervention assignment and implementation, endpoint determination, a data analysis plan, and sample size considerations and calculations.

Data Analysis: Depending upon the CCTS researcher's needs, BERD will develop an analysis plan that is specific to the needs of the study during the design consultation. The analysis plan may include quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both types of analyses. Research assistants, supervised by a BERD faculty member, will be available to assist in the implementation of the analysis plan.

NOTE: All requests are prioritized by the BERD Director, who will assign the request to the appropriate BERD personnel. Depending upon the nature and focus of the request, investigators may be referred to another resource on campus (e.g. Markey Cancer Center or the Applied Statistics Laboratory). Requests that are not handled by BERD personnel include: (1) course homework or class projects, (2) student research outside of CCTS education programs, and (3) data analyses for abstracts or manuscripts outside of CCTS-sponsored projects.

To access BERD services, please contact Elodie Elayi, MS, Research Development Director/Concierge: elodie.elayi@uky.edu.

Investigators are strongly encouraged to submit requests at least four weeks prior to the date needed, and preference will be given to investigators who do so.