CCBS Frequently Asked Questions

Statistical support services are charged at a flat rate of $105-155 per hour, depending on the statistical expertise required. Prior to providing fee-based statistical support, the requestor will receive an estimate of the scope of statistical support necessary for the project. If the scope of work changes or the work exceeds the previously agreed upon estimate, the estimate will be renegotiated. Statistical support is contingent on ability to pay (i.e., Lawson Activity Number) and on acceptance of a project estimate.

ITHS members receive additional benefits:

• The initial consultation with CBS, up to 2 hours, is available without charge for ITHS investigators with projects based at Seattle Children’s, the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center or other affiliated ITHS institutions.
• ITHS investigators writing multiyear grants that include a CBS staff biostatistician or faculty co-investigator with at least 10% effort will receive up to 20 additional hours of pre-award consultation and writing assistance from CBS. See the CBS Resources page on the ITHS website for more detailed budgeting information.
• Additional support for ITHS members may be available (subject to availability and resources) with more than 10% CBS FTE written into a proposal.

To become a member and for more information, see the ITHS website.

 For study design consultations, it is helpful to bring background materials such as a draft of your grant application, Institutional Review Board (IRB) application or study protocol. Copies of key publications related to your topic can also be useful.

If you will be requesting a statistical power or sample size calculation for a randomized trial, your consultant will need information about the expected outcomes in the control group and the magnitude of effect that you would like the study to be able to detect. Most commonly, estimates of mean and standard deviation of the primary outcome measurement for each group is adequate. Studies for which the primary outcome measurement is reported as a proportion do not require a standard deviation estimate. Maximum recruitment potential is also a key factor in evaluating sample size options, so information on the availability of eligible subjects at study sites, budgetary constraints or logistical limitations is also useful.

For projects needing statistical support for data analysis, please bring copies of case report form templates, data coding keys, electronic file templates and/or the actual data file(s).