Page 18 - Recommendations-for-biostatisticians-in-managing-and-conducting-medical-research-consultations

type of study) and/or to undertake further reading on the proposed research topic
before suggesting an appropriate research design for the proposed research work.

A major caveat to be noted here is that the biostatistician is not allowed to simply
presume that the proposed study is feasible and scientifically-relevant, without conducting
a prior evaluation of the background subject matter. This is because it will actually turn out
to be a total waste of time for the biostatistician if he/her proceeds to provide statistical
consultation without having completed a prior evaluation of the feasibility of a proposed
study and also its scientific merit and relevance. Another viable option for the research
client is to first consult an epidemiologist or a subject matter expert in the proposed
research area before meeting up with the biostatistician. This means that either the
biostatistician will have to conduct a prior evaluation of the background subject matter to
determine the scientific merit, relevance and feasibility of the proposed study; or the
research client will have to do the same by conferring with an epidemiologist or a subject
matter expert before consulting a biostatistician.

Alternatively, an expert panel consisting of a subject matter expert, an epidemiologist
and a biostatistician can all arrange for a specific time to meet together to deliberate over
the scientific merit, relevance and feasibility of the research proposal if the situation allows.
Both these approaches will greatly improve the likelihood that the proposed research will
be feasible and scientifically-relevant, since the epidemiologist or subject matter expert will
very likely conduct a preliminary screening of the proposed research and then offer advice
on how to make the necessary amendments to enhance its scientific validity and scientific
merit (and relevance), and also to ensure that it will become feasible. Moreover, this will
enable the biostatistician to give the research client ample opportunity to resolve any
clinical issues with the relevant subject matter experts before he/she proceeds to consult a
biostatistician. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for a biostatistician to first address
these issues with the research client before he/she proceeds to offer a biostatistical
consultation.