The Statistical Advisory Service, developed through the Disease Prevention and Public Health Institute, was begun in April 2008. This much-needed resource provides a clear, accessible mechanism for investigators to obtain statistical advice and assistance. Dr. James Godbold, Professor and Director of the Division of Biostatistics in the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and Associate Director of the Institute serves as the Director of the Statistical Advisory Service.

Through this resource, we offer an initial one-hour consultation with Dr. Godbold to assess the scope of the need and best means for addressing it. Those who are planning to develop new or revised research proposals are encouraged to make contact early, at least 1 month prior to the deadline and ideally earlier in the process. He will help to identify a qualified and available collaborator with the expectation that this individual will be engaged as a paid co-investigator should the research be funded. Those seeking general guidance in approaches to data analysis and other related matters may well find that a one-hour consult resolves their concerns. Those who are seeking help with data analysis for publications or presentations will be given an estimate of the amount of time that would be required to complete the effort and charged for faculty and staff assistance on an hourly basis.

We recognize that this initial period of operation will require adjustments as we learn best how to balance the supply and demand and welcome your feedback to be most effective in our goal of enhancing access to biostatistical expertise and ultimately enhancing the quality and quantity of research at Mount Sinai. We will need to limit the resource to faculty, which may include their trainees as part of the research activity, but are not able to offer this service to students at this time. Faculty who have other resources or means of meeting their statistical needs are in no way restricted by the creation of this resource or obligated to make use of it.