The AHEAD Institute
The Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Institute at Saint Louis University School of Medicine conducts data-driven research to improve the health of individuals and populations.
The AHEAD Institute unites SLU researchers from various fields and disciplines to improve patient and population health, advance health care quality and decrease health care costs. Through collaborations with national research networks, the institute develops and utilizes data resources to provide multiple data sets that meet the needs of individual research. The institute advances research through development and execution of novel analytic methods, predictive modeling, machine learning, and integrated, wearable health devices. Our expert faculty and staff assist with study design, survey design, REDCap project design and implementation, qualitative study design and analysis, and optimal data source selection. To utilize our data and research support services, please complete a .
Research Support Services
Research is a dynamic, non-linear process. Often, researchers must backtrack several steps before completing an investigation. For instance, researchers may need to collect additional data due to excessive missing data points or redundant data points. They may need to redefine the variables, the hypothesis or the research question. The goal the AHEAD Institute is to minimize the setbacks that our researchers encounter.
AHEAD pre-grant submission services support activities essential for the successful completion of a grant application, including sample size and power analysis, feasibility assessment and research strategy writing. Analyses for pilot studies are excluded from these services.
Pre-grant submission services are provided free of charge (up to 10 hours) for grant proposals incorporating AHEAD services into their budget. Alternatively, if AHEAD services are not incorporated into the grant proposal, services will be provided at $150 per hour.
It is recommended that the service request is submitted at least three months prior to the grant submission deadline.
Method guidance and project planning services are specifically designed for project planning assistance, unrelated to grant submissions. These non-analytic services include protocol development prior to data collection activities (e.g., planning for the design of primary data collection and Epic pull protocols for IRB submission). Please note that all IRB submissions are the responsibility of the primary investigator. Services are offered at $150 per hour.
Biostatistics Core services provide statistical programming and analytic support for projects with defined research aims and hypotheses. Data sources include data supplied by the primary investigator, data warehoused by the AHEAD Institute, and publicly available data. The Biostatistics Core staff can identify the most suitable data source, perform data procurement, analysis and validation, create appropriate tables and figures, and write pertinent sections for abstracts and manuscripts. Services are offered at $150 per hour.
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data.
For survey design and implementation support, investigators should refer to REDCap's free training resources . Alternatively, the AHEAD Institute offers REDCap survey design, build and implementation support at a rate of $150 per hour.
For comprehensive details about REDCap's capabilities, please visit our REDCap webpage.
For any questions, contact redcap@health.slu.edu.
AHEAD Services Workflow
To request AHEAD services, please complete a to help us tailor our assistance to your project's needs.
Upon receipt of your completed request, the subsequent steps will be taken:
- The AHEAD program coordinator will schedule a one-hour complimentary consultation with data managers, biostatisticians and core faculty, as applicable.
- Following the initial consultation, a scope of work document will be developed and
approved by all parties. Please note that the contents of each scope of work varies
depending on the specifications of the project. Typically, the scope of work will
include the following:
- Service request summary
- Required data domains
- Required forms to be signed and completed (i.e. data use agreements)
- Estimated costs, timelines and delivery dates
Please allow seven to ten business days for AHEAD staff to contact you.
To ensure the integrity and accuracy of methodology and data analysis, it is essential to include AHEAD biostatisticians as co-authors on publications involving their data science methods. Their expertise in methodology, data management, data analysis and results interpretation are essential components of the research and quality of the manuscript. Appropriate recognition through authorship is a tenet of scientific research that fosters collaboration and reflects the critical role of data science in advancing scientific discovery.
The AHEAD Institute reserves ten business days to review and approve all materials prior to submission to journals or scientific conferences. All publications and presentations utilizing the AHEAD Institute鈥檚 resources must be submitted to AHEAD personnel included as co-authors for final review and approval. Additionally, all such publications and presentations must include the following acknowledgment: "This work is supported by resources from the Saint Louis University AHEAD Institute.
Please send all published works to aheadarchive@health.slu.edu.
For all AHEAD services, primary investigators should anticipate two weeks between the date of the service request submission and the date of the initial consultation. Project timelines depend on the complexity of the request and the time required for certain activities such as data cleaning and statistical programming.
All timelines related to project deliverables and outcomes will be outlined in the Scope of Work by AHEAD personnel. Anticipated timelines are subject to change and will be actively discussed with the primary investigator.