Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM-Core)

The Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM-Core) will provide data management and analysis support to the program projects. Its services will include statistical and study design guidance, protocol preparation assistance and evaluation, statistical analysis and interpretation of results, data management and quality assurance. Housed in the Children’s Nutrition Research Center, the BDM-Core is easily accessible to all Project leads. BDM-Core personnel will consist of PhD- and MS-level biostatisticians and a database manager. The Core will handle requests for secondary data analysis within the program, and submit de-identified data to the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub. To promote synergy and cost-effectiveness within the program, the BDM-Core will collaborate with the Digital Assessment Core to facilitate the structure and variable formats in TDM and accelerometer-derived data sets for use by all projects. Collaboration with the Administrative Core will occur by contributing to its educational outreach activities, DSMB support, and sharing of pertinent information in its Electronic Management System. Cost-effectiveness will be promoted by housing a database manager to build and maintain a central REDCap database for all projects, support for scientific programming, data harmonization, dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge, results discussion and interpretation across all projects, and activities to promote long-term sustainability. BDM-Core members have expertise in assessing obesity risk and executive functioning outcomes, with years of experience in several advanced areas, such as clinical trials, non- randomized observational studies, study design and sample size estimation, longitudinal data analysis, generalized linear mixed models, multilevel structural equation modeling, causal inference, missing data.