Better Tools for Multi-site Research

This site is designed to guide potential investigators in organizing a clinical research application and to provide information on conducting a study and maintaining an award. Here you will find: an Overview of Human Subjects Research, pre-application Information, Peer Review Details, Funding Information, and more. This site addresses issues most commonly found in grant awards, and also includes glossary links to help to define terms related to NIH funding of clinical research.   

From the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Clinical Research Guide.  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/crg/index.php

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Describes challenges in 5 areas of Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) research implementation and methods used by the Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network (AAFP NRN) to address them: (1) selecting fundable, feasible studies that interest members and have the potential to improve quality of care; (2) creating a practical budget that covers the costs of the study; (3) composing study teams and securing written agreements between team members; (4) recruiting and selecting study sites; and (5) training practice staff and physicians.   Click here to download.

Graham, Deborah G., Spano, Mindy S., Stewart, Tom V., Staton, Elizabeth W., Meers, Angela, Pace, Wilson D. Strategies for Planning and Launching PBRN Research Studies: A Project of the Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network (AAFP NRN). Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2007 20: 220-228.   www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/20/2/220.pdf

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This guide was developed to help investigators in the HMO Research Network organize and conduct cluster randomized trials (CRTs). It highlights key planning and operational challenges in multi-site CRTs and offers recommendations for how those challenges should be addressed. Content areas include general considerations and rationale, defining clusters and issues relating to cluster randomization, sample size, informed consent, blinding and other topic requiring special consideration in a CRT.  Click here to download.

From the HMO Research Network Collaboration Toolkit.  www.hmoresearchnetwork.org

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Example of a form submitted by each sub-recipient to the Grant and Contracts department of the prime institution. Basic institutional information (e.g., DUNS, FWA numbers, indirect rates, etc) that will be required by the prime site for submission is gathered using this form as early as possible in the development of a new collaborative research proposal.   Click here to download.

From the HMO Research Network Collaboration Toolkit.  www.hmoresearchnetwork.org

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A checklist provided by a prime site to sub-recipient sites during the development of a grant proposal to outline needed materials and establish due dates, formatting and routing.   Click here to download.

From the HMO Research Network Collaboration Toolkit.  www.hmoresearchnetwork.org

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Template spreadsheet for sharing important contact information for developing and managing research projects across multiple institutions (e.g., research director, institutional officials, grants and contracts managers, finance and billing contacts, data use agreement recipients, and so on).   Click here to download.

Based on HMO Research Network Member Resources.  www.hmoresearchnetwork.org

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This is a handy checklist designed to assist researchers being approached for participation in a clinical trial. Outlines factors to consider when making a decision, such as past experience with the sponsor, appropriateness of and risks to your patient population, potential protocol and procedural issues, important staffing and budgeting questions, and more.  Click here to download.

From the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine.  www.medschool.ucsf.edu/clinical_research/tools/index.aspx

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This link will take you to an online research methods textbook, which provides instruction on both theoretical and applied aspects of the research process. Accessibly written and replete with good examples, the Knowledge Base is suitable for training new staff or brushing up on measurement or basic statistical concepts.   

Trochim, William M. The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 2nd Edition. Copyright ©2006. Internet WWW page, at URL: .  www.socialresearchmethods.net

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