The Statistics and Methods Section of the University of Michigan Injury Center provides members and the injury community at large with support for conducting and analyzing injury research.
The section is composed of three senior researchers, Dr. Rob Lipton (spatial and social epidemiology of violence, section leader), Dr. Carol Flannagan, (UMTRI director of data resources) and Dr. Michael Elliot (biostatistician with a substantive expertise on violence research). In addition, we are supported by Dr. Jason Goldstick, a statistician well versed in spatial and temporal modeling of complex processes. We will also have GIS/data technicians involved.
The group’s chief activities are:
Providing statistics and methods support and scientific review for injury proposals, pilot studies, policy development with relevant data, including analysis when necessary, and support for training activities. We will provide additional assistance for Center projects and other Center cores. The group will available to consult with project faculty developing injury-related proposals and manuscripts, providing assistance with issues such as power calculations, developing data analysis plans, and integration of datasets and data fusion. Extended consultations will usually start with a presentation at core meetings, but unlike brief consults, will generally involve assigning one or more section faculty to work individually with the investigator(s) in planning the project or to accomplish a project-related task. Such work might involve collaboration on grants, manuscripts, etc. We are developing a priority order for research and a process for assessing level of effort and staff effort.
Developing a comprehensive registry of injury data for Center members and researchers generally who have an interest in the field. This section will create an index and advise Center members on uses of public and institutionally available regional injury databases to facilitate economical and efficient secondary data analysis. This will be a Web-based system that has comprehensive national and regional data on injury. We are working closely with UMTRI and the School of Natural Resources, as well as state actors such as the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Developing a growing catalog of available datasets and maps. We will provide technical assistance and statistical support including data analysis when necessary, to aid Center members in producing maps, descriptive injury data tables for policy briefs or pilot grant data. Geographic files related to Michigan injury data will be made available to Center members and placed on our website. Descriptive data and injury data tables will be generated in conjunction with the outreach core for Center members and stakeholders for policy or pilot data on request. The Center will also provide expert consultation for spatial analysis of data (in addition to mapping data).
We are in the process of developing a comprehensive website to help facilitate the activities described. To request statistical assistance for injury-related research projects, email us at injurycenter@umich.edu.