Data Coordinating Centers: Telling the Story of Research

• Activity Number: 302 - Data Coordinating Centers: Telling the Story of Research
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 : 3:30 PM to 5:20 PM
• Sponsor: Committee on Funded Research
• Author(s): Kaleab Abebe* and Walter Ambrosius* and Garnet Anderson* and Christopher Coffey* and Valerie Durkalski-Mauldin*
• Companies: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Wake Forest School of Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Iowa College of Public Health and Medical University of South Carolina
• Keywords: clinical trials; observational studies; data managment; statistical leadership

Abstract

Multicenter studies usually have a Data Coordinating Center (DCC), typically led by a statistician, dedicated to all things data. The DCC leads the development of the statistical study design and data monitoring plan, data collection forms, the data entry/management system, data quality assurance, and data querying and cleaning. DCCs lead data analyses and reporting and perform other study activities. Although DCCs vary in their roles and approaches, they are essential for ensuring that multi-center studies produce results that lead to major public health impact. DCCs offer opportunities for leadership, for addressing methodological challenges, and funding. Most DCCs include teams of data managers, study coordinators, programmers, and analysts. Despite this critical role, training for DCC activities is rarely included in curricula for (bio)statisticians. DCCs may provide students with real-world experience collaborating with clinical, statistical, and data management teams. As funding agencies increasingly are interested in collaborations including large and diverse populations, opportunities for leading DCCs are increasing. The panel will discuss their experiences leading DCCs.