Program Policies

 Biostatistics Program at Arkansas Children’s Hospital Campus

Overview of Policies

The Department of Pediatrics (DOP), Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) jointly provide funding support to the Biostatistics Program. This support allows the Program to offer comprehensive biostatistics and database support for all types of research activities and also supports growth and expanded expertise to enhance the Program. This expertise and support enhance grant applications when seeking intramural and extramural funding.

Where is the Program Located?

The Biostatistics Program is housed on the 3^rd floor of the ACHRI building. If you do not have access to the ACHRI building, please call 364-6631 or 364-6638 to gain entrance.

What can the Program Provide?

• Research Design: The Program provides assistance with research design development for both intra- and extramural funded studies. This support includes framing and refining of research questions and study design.
• Grant Planning: The Program provides grant planning (pre-award activities) assistance that includes research design development as well as creating a statistical analysis plan (SAP), developing a randomization plan, determining/justifying sample size, and developing a data management and data collection plan. Identified biostatistician(s) should be involved early ion in the grant submission process.
• Statistical Analysis: The Program provides statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and assists in the preparation of results for grants, publications, and presentations.
• Mathematical modeling: The Program also provides support on the development and analysis of mathematical models for basic sciences or applied medicine.
• Education: The Program provides basic statistical and research methods classes, including the use of statistical software packages.
• Database Support: The Program provides database development and management that includes building end-user research or clinical databases on secured networks as well as using secured web-based applications (http://base.uams.edu/redcap) and providing data pulled directly from MEDITECH on research-funded projects.

 How is the Biostatistics Program Supported?

• Institutional Support: The DOP, ACH and ACHRI provide support to the Biostatistics Program for infrastructure and for future growth in faculty, staff, and programs. It also allows for other support requests for investigators who have exhausted all other funding options. This institutional support allows the Biostatistics Program to be utilized by DOP, ACH or ACHRI personnel (all campus based faculty and programs) who might otherwise be unable to support their research.
  
  Requests for subsidized biostatistics assistance will only be considered until all other funding sources have been fully explored. All requests for institutional support are submitted through the Biostatistics Program and will be routed to the appropriate administrative office(s) for approval and signatures. Dr. Richard Jacobs’ signature will be required for DOP (Mark Amox may sign in his place) or ACHRI related work (Barry Brady may sign in his place). Dr. Jonathan Bates’ signature, or his designee, will be required for ACH related work. These signatories will also prioritize all approved projects for placement on a timeline for success.

• Funded Grants and Contracts: Biostatisticians and database personnel can be funded through grants and contracts for appropriate percent efforts (e.g. 5% Faculty Biostatistician, 10% Staff Biostatistician, 10% Database Staff) based upon the defined work scope. This funding is usually a result of the work provided during grant planning. Grant planning is provided through support from the Program’s infrastructure (AHCRI/ACH/DOP).  For extramural grants, the minimum percent effort for faculty is 5% annually for Assistant and Associate Professors and 3% for Professors. The staff needs are negotiated on a case by case basis and approved by the Director. Note: Pre-approval must be obtained from the Director before including a faculty or staff on a grant application submission. 
• Direct Divisional Support: Any division within the DOP/ACH/ACHRI can directly support the Program's faculty and staff. Divisional support qualifies for a 20% discount in salary and fringe benefits, provided the support is arranged in advance of the work performed.

Do I include a Statistician as Co-Author?

Co-authorship is independent of funding and should be based on the level of participation. General guidelines can be found here. If the Program’s faculty and/or staff make a contribution that warrants authorship based on the guidelines, they should be listed as co-author.

Do I include a Statistician as Co-Investigator on study's Institutional Review Board (IRB) application or Grant Application?

Any Program faculty collaborating on a research proposal requiring IRB approval should be considered as co-investigator or sub-investigator on the IRB application. All Biostatistics Program personnel maintain current human subject research credentials with the IRB. Investigator status (e.g. co-investigator, sub-investigator, key personnel) should be determined based on the level of participation.

Any Biostatistics Program faculty collaborating on the development of a grant application should be considered as Co-Investigator on the application, regardless of funding source (e.g. internal or external). For CUMG applications, percent efforts for faculty listed as co-investigator are provided at no charge and are funded with support from DOP/ACH/ACHRI . However, biostatistics and database staff support are typically listed in the CUMG budget.

Working with Outside Biostatisticians

It is understood that existing projects may receive statistical support from other sources outside of the DOP/ACH/ACHRI Biostatistics Program. However, it is expected that all future projects (new or extended) requiring biostatistical support on ACH’s campus to collaborate with faculty and staff within the Biostatistics Program at DOP/ACH/ACHRI. If there is a need to use an outside biostatistician (external to ACH’s campus), this must be discussed with the Director of the Program, Dr. Todd Nick. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of Dr. Richard Jacobs.

When do I Contact the Program?

For anything with a deadline (grants, abstracts, etc.), the Program requires at least 8 weeks of collaboration prior to the submission date. This allows the Program to manage staffing levels and ensure that there is time to provide input on design and analysis issues.

Biostatisticians that are involved from the beginning need sufficient time to develop a strong grant for submission. For R21 grant applications, it is best to contact the Biostatistics Program as soon as possible, but at least 3 months prior to the deadline is required. For R01 applications, please contact the Program 6 to 8 months prior to the deadline. For CUMG and ABI applications, the Program requires at least 4 weeks of collaboration prior to the deadline (e.g. contact by February 1 for a March 1 deadline).

Who do I Contact for Help?

For project management questions, contact Darcy Ewalt at 364-6638 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For all administration questions, contact Amber Sharp at 364-6631 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the Biostatistics Program Director, Dr. Todd Nick, call 364-6631 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

When your Grant Application is Funded

The Program would love to know! Please email the Biostatistics Program manager, Darcy Ewalt, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .