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Discovery Data Coordinating Center

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Functions of the Discovery Data Coordinating Center


The Discovery Data Coordinating Center (DCC) can contribute to the success of grant proposals and the conduct of studies through a number of key functions:
  • Translating clinical and scientific questions into appropriate study designs and analysis strategies for funding proposals
  • Calculating sample size or power estimates consistent with the associated analysis strategies and specific to the research phase and design type
  • Conducting standard and novel statistical analyses and writing methods and results for manuscripts, reports, or presentations
  • Developing data collection forms and web-based data management using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) Cloud
  • Maintaining effective data management and producing ongoing recruitment and safety reports for data safety monitoring boards and other committees
  • Providing other logistical support as needed for specific RFAs

The Discovery DCC shall be responsible for the communication, coordination, storage, maintenance, and integrity of data collected from all sites involved in a study. The Discovery DCC shall also have primary responsibility for statistical analysis to support the study. The study PIs shall work closely with Discovery DCC staff to provide general direction, oversight of adverse event reporting, and data presentation and may carry out additional aspects of administrative, clinical, and technical expertise and leadership in study design and coordination in collaboration with the DCC and PIs.

SCCM will maintain a DCC that meets the administrative, physical, and technical safeguards required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to support programs.

All sites participating in a multisite research program must be HIPAA compliant and must demonstrate that they have policies on the use of and access to any data collected and stored at the site. This includes transferring, removing, disposing of, and reusing electronic media and electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Technical safeguards require access control to allow only authorized people to access ePHI. Access control includes using unique user IDs, an emergency access procedure, automatic logoff, and encryption and decryption.

Audit reports or tracking logs must be implemented to keep records of activity on hardware and software. This is especially useful for pinpointing the source or cause of any security violations.

Technical policies should also cover integrity controls or measures put in place to confirm that ePHI has not been altered or destroyed. Information technology disaster recovery and offsite backup are key to ensuring that any electronic media errors or failures can be quickly remedied and ePHI recovered accurately and intact. Network or transmission security is the last technical safeguard required of HIPAA-compliant hosts to protect against unauthorized public access of ePHI. This concerns all methods of transmitting data, whether email, internet, or private network, such as a private cloud.

The Discovery DCC can serve in multisite studies as the DCC, although this is not required if researchers prefer to use a different DCC that meets Discovery's criteria, as outlined below in Data Policies and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Compliance.

The Team

The Discovery DCC is directed by Douglas Landsittel, PhD, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Indiana University School of Public Health Bloomington. Dr. Landsittel has over 20 years' experience in collaborative, educational, and methods research. Learn more about Dr. Landsittel and other team members.

Web-Based Data Entry, Electronic Data Capture System: REDCap Cloud

The Discovery DCC uses Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) Cloud for research that requires data collection. REDCap is a secure, web-based application designed to support data capture for research studies. REDCap Cloud is compliant with FDA CFR Part 11, HIPAA, and EU Annex 11 regulations.

Development of Procedures and Policies

The Discovery Steering Committee is responsible for developing and implementing procedures to ensure integrity in several areas.


 

Engaging the Discovery DCC in Collaborations

Early collaboration with the Discovery DCC is critical for optimizing the potential for success, beginning at the earliest phase of study conceptualization.

 

Development of Procedures and Policies

The Discovery Steering Committee is responsible for developing and implementing procedures to ensure integrity in several areas.


 

Statistical Analyses and Data Monitoring

REDCap Cloud case report forms (CRFs) will be used to screen, enroll, and randomize subjects. The DCC will track enrollment and other results for transparent reporting, including the number randomized to each study arm and reasons for exclusion or loss to follow-up. The number enrolled by each site and the number randomized into each study arm will be provided in data reports to the study PI.

Statistical Analyses and Data Monitoring

REDCap Cloud CRFs will be used to screen, enroll, and randomize subjects. The data coordinating center will track enrollment and other results for transparent reporting, including the number randomized to each study arm and reasons for exclusion or loss to follow-up. The number enrolled by each site and the number randomized into each study arm will be provided in data reports to the study PI.

Budgeting for Discovery DCC Effort Funding Proposals

Budgeting for sufficient effort is critical. These recommendations represent broad guidance on how to budget for Discovery DCC personnel.

Requesting Services From the Discovery DCC

  1. Submit a Clinical Investigator Proposal and become a Discovery-endorsed project.
  2. If you are submitting a research grant proposal for a multisite study, Discovery can be subcontracted to serve as data coordinating or clinical coordinating center.
  3. Discovery can help with research survey dissemination via the SCCM survey process.