CDW-R: Other BUMC Resources to Support Researchers

Study design and IRB application

The CDW-R team is available to help refine research data extraction requests, suggest available data to operationalize research questions, and advise on completing BMC/BUMC IRB INSPIR applications to ensure access to data.

CDW-R does do not provide methodologic consultation to help investigators develop their research questions, study designs, nor statistical analysis plans. CDW-R also does not provide assistance developing IRB applications beyond a discussion of which Research Data Warehouse elements to include. For assistance with study design or IRB preparation, investigators can access the following resources:

Data management, programming, and analysis support

While the CDW-R works with investigators to provide data in a user-friendly format, it does not offer data cleaning, data management, or data analysis services. Generally, the CDW-R does not conduct any calculations nor derive study-specific variables. The CDW-R also does not calculate descriptive statistics nor do statistical programming beyond simple counts. Data are provided in a raw extract format suitable for further study-specific data management. For assistance with data cleaning, management, or analysis, the following contacts may be helpful:

BU CTSI’s Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design (BERD)
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC)
BMC Data & Methods Core (more information below)

BMC Data and Methods Core

The BMC Data and Methods Core is a research core facility dedicated to enhancing clinical and translational research by providing statistical expertise and analytical services throughout the research project lifecycle, ensuring robust support for investigators. The Data and Methods Core provides expert consultation, grant planning support, data management, and statistical analysis services. Services are accessible to all research staff at BUMC, with special emphasis on supporting early-to-mid career clinical investigators, fostering their development and success in research.

BMC Data and Methods Core website

BMC Research Technology Program (RTP)

The BMC Research Technology Program supports researchers with IT scope, planning, budgeting, and implementation of technology to support research at BMC. RTP can assist researchers with equipment purchases, application review and installation coordination, and technology scoping for research studies.

BMC RTP website

Self-Service Platform: TriNetX

TriNetX is a self-service platform that allows BUMC researchers to identify cohorts, participate in sponsored trials, understand therapy and disease landscapes, and conduct analyses without statistical software. A subset of data from Epic and legacy EHR systems (Logician/Centricity) is transformed into a limited dataset and uploaded to TriNetX every 1-2 months. Dating back to 2000, the data in TriNetX include diagnoses, medications, laboratory results, encounters/visits, vital signs, and demographics. BUMC researchers with Human Subjects research training and an active BMC account may use TriNetX.

Contact Nicholas Trombley, BU CTSI Research Coordinator, to request access.

Non-research projects

The CDW-R is intended for research purposes only. CDW-R analysts extract and provision data according to the various research regulations and protocols.

For all other data request purposes, including operations projects and quality improvement (QI), please submit a ServiceNow ticket at bmc.service-now.com or contact the BMC Systems Analytics Team directly.
For information on QI/Quality Assurance (QA) projects and IRB review, visit the BMC/BUMC IRB's website.
For QI resources and project support, contact the BMC QI Hub.