Data Management Unit Background and Overview
Background
The Data Management Unit (DMU) was launched by the CCEB as a division of the Biostatistics Analysis Center (BAC) in July 2008. The DMU provides customized and comprehensive data management services for CCEB investigators whose studies are not subject to FDA compliance, training, or regulatory requirements. The DMU is overseen administratively by BECC staff and faculty directors, with daily operations and personnel managed by a dedicated staff-level Manager. DMU project triage, tracking, contracting, and invoicing as well as DMU administrative support have been integrated into existing BECC functions.
Overview
DMU services include: 1) project start-up, including timeline definition and management and translation of protocol data management elements into a data management plan and database design; 2) forms development and printing featuring a pre-populated study ID and visit ID on each page of each form; 3) data entry and processing which includes double data entry of all CRFs, patient surveys, and other research forms; 4) data cleaning; and 5) development of a customized patient recruitment tracking system. These DMU services may stand alone or compliment related services provided by biostatistics or epidemiology faculty members.
The DMU also supports CCEB researchers by providing formal DMU Statements of Work and budgets for inclusion in formal grant submissions.
Contact Information
For more information about the DMU, please contact Amy Praestgaard, BECC/BAC Managing Director, at 215-573-4859 or praestga@mail.med.upenn.edu or Shawn Fernandes, DMU Manager, at 215-573-6766 or sfernand@cceb.med.upenn.edu.
To request DMU services, please complete the BECC Collaboration Request Form.
