Project EXPORT Shared Resources and Methods Core
Shared Resources and Methods Core Specific Aims and Recent Highlights
The Research Methodology Core provides rigorous basic and advanced
methodological support in biostatistics and other technical domains to
both center investigators and faculty and students at Drew and UCLA.
This core works closely with EXPORT pilot investigators at Drew and
UCLA in developing and improving study design, planning of data
analysis and understanding unique approaches to problem solving in a
community setting. The core has utilized its expertise in
health-related geographic information systems to perform community
asset mapping, and for the assessment of geographic variations in
health disparities and their causes in collaboration with Drew, UCLA
and RAND investigators. The Research Methodology Core provides
consultation to community partners and community-based organizations in
conducting program development and scientific program evaluation, and
grantsmanship training of community to assist them in developing
infrastructure and self-sufficiency.
The work of the Research
Methodology Core is highly significant. The core provides support to
both faculty and community to ensure the methodological rigor and
appropriateness of design for proposed projects is crucial to ensure
the future success of both academic users and community partners.
The specific aims of the EXPORT Shared Resources and
Methodology Core are as follows:
Specific Aim 1:
To provide rigorous basic and advanced methodological support in
biostatistics and other technical domains to University investigators
addressing health disparities.
Specific Aim 2:
To utilize health related geographic information systems for performing
community asset mapping and for the assessment of geographic variations
in health disparities and their causes.
Specific Aim 3:
To provide limited consultation to community partners and
community-based organizations in conducting program development and
scientific program evaluation.
Charles Drew Medical GIS Lab (CDMGIS)
http://www.cdrewu.edu/rcmi/GIS/giswebsite/default.asp
The
CDMGIS is a shared resource of the RCMI Biometry Core, RCMI Informatics
Core, and Project EXPORT Shared Resources and Methods Core. The CDMGIS
is a “dry lab” which is designed to facilitate the integration into
medical research of the optimal tools and methods for understanding the
spatial expressions and implications of disease and health. The CDMGIS
supports research projects both for internal RCMI projects as well as
for collaborative projects with investigators from other Drew
departments as well as with outside entities, including UCLA and RAND.
Investigators interested in incorporating spatial theories, spatial
data and spatial methodologies into their research projects consult
with Dr. Paul Robinson who received his Ph.D. from the University of
Southern California with a focus on urban geography and the application
of geographical information systems and related spatial technologies in
addressing urban issues.
Recent Shared Resources and Methods Core Highlights
The
Core has been active on three fronts: support for research and pilot
studies, general educational efforts in the EXPORT institutions, and
educational support in the community. Specific activities include:
- Continued
growth and development of the Charles Drew Medical Geographic
Information Systems Lab (CDMGIS) adding a core resource and expertise
to Drew, a primary mission of Project EXPORT. CDMGIS is now utilized in
over eight extramural grants involving EXPORT investigators. CDMGIS
software available to researchers includes ArcGIS 9.1, Arcview GIS 3.2,
and a collection of ESRI GIS extensions, such as ArcGIS Geostatistical
analyst, ArcGIS Network Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, and ArcGIS Spatial
Analyst, and ArcPublisher, which has allowed dissemination of some of
the GIS database through the Project EXPORT webpage.
- Dr.
Mohsen Bazargan provided consultations and assistance in evaluation and
assessment of two funded community-based interventions focusing in teen
pregnancy and risky behaviors (Teen Mom program at Drew Foundation and
Teen Awareness Program funded by Administration for Children and
Families).
- Dr. Naihua Duan provided training
in analytic design and analysis to Healthy African American Families
(HAAF), a community-based organization that works on various public
health promotion programs.
- Dr. Honghu Liu provided statistical consultation to community research organizations such as AIDS Research at Los Angeles.
- Dr.
Magda Shaheen collaborated with Dr. Ralph Frerichs (UCLA School of
Public Health) to enhance a rapid survey methodology that resulted in
three published abstracts, presentations at national conferences,
workshop, and a publication in preparation. A rapid survey workshop
followed in May 2006.
- The Core co-sponsors a
monthly methodology seminar at UCLA and Drew, jointly with UCLA Center
for Community Health and the UCLA Health Services Research Center,
hosted by Dr. Duan. This seminar series is video-conferenced between
UCLA and Drew, to facilitate the participation of faculty,
investigators, and students at both institutions, and recorded on
videotapes to facilitate viewing by those who were unable to attend the
seminars in person.
