The Biostatistics Core will provide essential biostatistical support to investigators on the Northwest ProstateCancer SPORE. This Core will link study design, data collection, measurement, and analysis to the criticalhypotheses and questions of the Northwest Prostate Cancer SPORE through the following Specific Aims:1. Study Design: Define study hypotheses, study populations and experimental parameters to answer theresearch questions of interest, reduce systematic bias and ensure a high likelihood of detection ofbiologically meaningful effects.2. Analysis and Interpretation: Identify and implement state-of-the-art quantitative methods to address thescientific questions of interest and provide valid statistical inferences about the evidence supporting thevarious study hypotheses. Provide necessary bioinformatics expertise for study interpretation.3. Methods Development: Where appropriate statistical methods are inadequate or lacking, devise andimplement novel quantitative approaches to address study questions of interest.During the prior funding period, the Biostatistics Core played an integral role in the collection, validation andanalysis of data for SPORE projects. Our experience has shown that involvement of statisticians from theconcept phase yields studies that are better designed, more likely to answer the scientific questions ofinterest, and, ultimately, more compelling in their conclusions. Therefore the Core will continue to functionthough close collaboration with investigators from the beginning through the life of each SPORE study.The Biostatistics Core operates from within the Biostatistics Program at the Fred Hutchinson CancerResearch Center. Investigators on the Biostatistics Core play leadership roles on funded studies andprograms whose missions overlap considerably with that of the Core. These include the Data managementand Coordinating Center for the Early Detection Research Network, and the Program in ComputationalBiology and Bioinformatics at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Access to and collaborationwith these programs will enhance the Core's ability to address analytic questions raised by SPORE studiesusing cutting-edge, and, if necessary, novel techniques.
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