RESEARCH SERVICES UNIT

The Research Services Unit (RSU), founded in 1978, is a central resource for researchers in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, providing services in all aspects of epidemiological, health promotion, public health and statistical studies.  The RSU is comprised of a group of multi-disciplinary investigators including epidemiologists, biostatisticians, study coordinators and support staff, with access to faculty and graduate students, all of whom provide assistance to researchers within the School, the Faculty of Medicine, the teaching hospitals, other parts of the University and the community at large.  It can be involved at any level of research due to the multi-faceted capabilities of the research staff, from minor assistance to complete study design and implementation.  However, those considering utilizing the facilities of the RSU at any stage of their proposed research project are strongly advised to consult with the RSU at the time a research project is being planned, as the RSU can facilitate grant applications and potentially smooth the conduct of a project and its subsequent analysis.

SERVICES OFFERED

1. STUDY DESIGN

• consultation on study design
• budget preparation
• questionnaire design
• statistical methodology
• sample size calculations

2. STUDY COORDINATION

• some researchers choose to have the RSU run all aspects of their study from start to finish.
  This provides continuity of data collection and analysis, as well as ensuring a high standard
  of data quality.
• coordination of case/control studies, cohort studies, clinical trials.

3. STUDY IMPLEMENTATION

• recruitment of cases and controls, including random population control selection
• data collection and storage
• interviewing
• mail and telephone surveys
• medical record abstractions
• database design and setup
• data entry

4. DATA ANALYSIS

• data cleaning
• database conversion
• statistical analysis and interpretation of results

CLIENTS
The RSU primarily serves:

1. Researchers in the Faculty of Medicine
2. Staff members of the teaching and affiliated hospitals of the Faculty of Medicine.

CONTACT
Lee Vernich - Director
Phone (416)978-2966, lee.vernich@utoronto.ca
Vartouhi Jazmaji – Consultant
Phone (416)978-5351, vartouhi.jazmaji@utoronto.ca