The Biostatistical Consulting Unit (BCU) serves as a resource of statistical expertise for researchers and students across the University of Manitoba environment. While the BCU is a cost recovery unit, there are accommodations for students and faculty members who do not have funds to support their research.

The BCU promotes two types of activities: collaboration and services. The following activities are examples of academic collaboration.

• Faculty/researcher/student research collaboration including research design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation.
• Research methodology development.
• Grant/funding planning, development, and proposal preparation.
• Inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary collaboration on research teams.

The following activities are examples of services:

• Sample size and power calculations.
• Data collections and preparation for data analysis.
• Data analysis and result interpretation.
• Database conversion, storage, archiving management and support.
• Result section preparation for manuscripts and project reports.
• Graduate student training of use of statistical software
• Survey data and survey designing.
• Statistical computing using SAS, SPSS, R and other software (e.g., HLM, M-plus).

In addition, BCU offers non-credit courses on use of statistical computer software such as SAS and SPSS. For recent offerings, visit BCU or Department of Community Health Sciences website.

BCU Staff

The Unit is staffed by the Director, Dr. Depeng Jiang, statistical consultants Mr. Brenden Dufault, and casual statisticians.

Dr. Depeng Jiang had many years of experience in providing statistical consulting to a broad range of clients and training students and researchers on the conduct of statistical analyses.  He has expertise in longitudinal analysis and multilevel models, person-oriented statistical approaches (e.g., latent class analysis and growth mixture models), structural equation models, clinical trial design and intervention program evaluation.

Mr. Brenden Dufault received his master degree in Biostatistics from University of Western Ontario. He has expertise in a complete range of both basic and advanced statistical techniques, including regression and analysis of variance, logistic regression, survival analysis, recurrent event analyses, multilevel model and longitudinal data analysis, propensity score analysis, non-parametric analysis, time series analyses, and power analysis for simple and complex designs.

Dr. Mahmoud Torabi received his PhD in Statistics from Carleton University.  He is currently a full-time Assistant Professor of Biostatistics in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.  His research areas are: spatial and temporal models, cluster detection, small area estimation, longitudinal data analysis, generalized (general) linear mixed models, measurement Errors, and robust statistics.

Costs

For most projects, the BCU charges either an hourly rate or a fixed project amount. The fee policy reflects the need for cost recovery for staff, equipment, and supplies. The current 2011 fee per hour is 85$.

Consultants will work with you to estimate BCU consultant costs and track the time spent on project activities. Invoice will be sent on regular basis. Hours spent and fees charged will be summarized at the end of the project.

Making a request

Please submit your request well before a grant/project deadline in order to schedule the consultation and arrange the analytic work. Within 2 working days of receipt of a request, the consultants will contact researchers to acknowledge receipt and to arrange an initial meeting as soon as possible. After the first appointment with a consultant, you and consultant will sign a Request Form for Biostatistical Service (including project description, request type and the way of payment).