BMTRY 721 Collaboration Robert F. Woolson, Ph.D. Fall, 2004

Class 1 Introduction Overview

Objectives Learn how to participate in collaborative research including: communication techniques sample size estimation preparation of statistical plans for studies preparation of analytic reports and manuscript sections.

Expectations l Spend time with a biometry faculty member in meetings with investigators (arrange and submit your plan to me by Sept 11) l Exercises, e.g. on sample size l Written sample size/analysis plan l Critique of 1-2 protocols l Analysis of investigator’s data with reports & manuscript write-ups, presentation to class

Expectations Cont. l Interview one biometry faculty member who does collaboration (by next class) Educational background and experience What led statistician/epidemiologist to choose statistical/epidemiological collaboration What is most rewarding What should students learn in a course on collaboration? Issues encountered with respect to ownership, security/confidentiality, or acceptable practices.

Grading l Course is pass/fail l Must complete all assignments to pass course. l Class attendance required to pass. l There is no final exam. l Can work in pairs if you wish.

Outline l Define consulting and collaboration l When is consulting appropriate? l Approaches to increasing collaboration when collaboration is the desired outcome l Aligning expectations

Issue: Service & Scholarship Statisticians & epidemiologists often express the concern that they are being treated as consultants rather than collaborators.

Find that significant p-value; give me a control group!

Consulting/Collaboration l Tilley (1999) l Ellenberg(1990)

Background l Sampson(1991) - "routine data analysis is not endorsed as a justifiable academic activity". l Wilson (1992) and invited commentaries (Hogg, 1990; Minton, 1990, Solomon, 1990, and Welsch, 1990) - statistical activities are academic and are scholarship

Background Continued l Boyer (1990) "To be considered scholarship, service activities must be tied directly to one's specialty field of knowledge and relate to, and flow directly out of, this professional activity. Such service is serious, demanding work, requiring the rigor-- -and the accountability---traditionally associated with research activities.”

Three Roles of the Statistician (Hunter, 1981)

Consultant l The Helper - passive statistician, active investigator. (Carter) l Limited input into the study as a whole. l Responds to requests.

Collaborator l The Colleague - active statistician, active investigator. (Wilson) l involved in study from beginning, participates in design, analysis, publication of study l continuing involvement

The Leader l Active statistician, passive investigator l Less desirable option. l Investigator typically knows more about underlying clinical or biological issues

Consulting Vs. Collaboration Not differentiated by: l whether or not there is a charge, but by the level of involvement l by time lag between request and need for an answer

When to Choose A Consultant Role l Want little in-depth involvement, brief encounters, quick money l Funded on a grant for a small % effort 1% - 5% = 18 to 92 hours/ year one meeting/week = 52 hours l Forced into the role by small amount of information from investigator

When to Choose a Consultant Role l Little biostatistical/epi support for a large # of investigators acknowledge role l Master’s level or bachelor’s level in the consulting role/ Ph.D. statistician is collaborator may limit career development

Becoming a Collaborator #1 Behave as a collaborator l desire and recognize need l take more ownership of process l become familiar with the science l allocate time

Becoming a Collaborator #2 Set Boundaries (value your time) l communicate time boundaries l meetings are part of allotted time l ask for submitted grant & budget l if scope changes, renegotiate

Becoming a Collaborator #3 Change the investigators perceptions l Explain difference between consultant and collaborator l Ask to attend study meetings l Ask for more information about the science l Remember power of appearance

Becoming a Collaborator #4 Write and present on topics related to the investigator's research l Easier for statistician to publish in prestigious topical journals l Adds to prestige of investigators l Adds credibility for future grants l Enhances investigator in dept.

Becoming a Collaborator #5 Play proactive role in IRB committees and research review groups Suggest form revisions Don’t be the “bad guy” #6 Educate non-statisticians who determine promotions about the role of statisticians

Criteria for Promotion

Aligning Expectations l What is your role? responsibilities level of authority way you participate in making decisions l What are roles of others? l How will communication be maintained? l What are the deliverables?

Aligning Expectations Continued l Deadlines l Compensation 5% effort on grant = meeting per week and advice l Acceptable statistical practices Blinding Adjustment for multiple outcomes Techniques in field

Aligning Expectations Continued l Ownership/publication rights l Stipulations for security and confidentiality l When are you finished? Open ended exploratory analyses? Response to critiques?

Summary l Both the consulting and collaborative roles have value. l For the statistician or epidemiologist who desires collaboration, there are several ways to foster this type of relationship.