Research Methodology Centre

The Research Methodology Centre at St. Joe’s provides comprehensive, flexible, and timely methodological and statistical support tailored to the ongoing needs of affiliated researchers at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Centre is strategically placed within the walls of the hospital to facilitate a better understanding of clinical operations that will affect study design and outcomes. Our team is comprised of researchers affiliated with McMaster University’s Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI).

How We Can Help

Members of the Research Methodology Centre can provide a variety of services ranging from the beginning to the end of a study’s duration. Taking advantage of a free consultation at the inception of your research study can help to ensure that your design, methodology, and data collection is optimized right from the beginning.

We are available to collaborate and provide leadership at various stages of a research project, such as:

• Study design and implementation: research question formulation, clinical and economic questionnaires and survey design, study design selection, sampling methods, sample size and power calculation, recruitment strategies, selection of measurement instruments, study implementation, data collection strategies, budgeting for statistical or economic support, developing a statistical analysis plan and much more.
• Data Management: data management plans, database development, data entry, data cleaning and recoding.
• Data analysis: basic descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, advanced statistical methods.
• Dissemination of findings: non-peer reviewed documents, peer-reviewed manuscripts, posters and oral presentations aimed at assessing the benefits and harms of therapies and procedures among in-hospital, ambulatory or primary care patients.
• Health economics: trial- and model-based economic evaluations, budget impact analyses, return on investment, preference-based/quality of life (QoL) studies, burden of illness studies and much more.
• Electronic Medical Records: dedicated analyst for St Joe’s EMR data.

We are happy to assist both new and established researchers performing studies in any clinical area.

If you are interested in discussing any current or prospective research studies, please fill out our methodology support form or contact Anna Jarmula
(jarmulaa@mcmaster.ca  or 905-522-1155 ext. 34905) to schedule a consultation.