====== OHDSI Collaborative Studies FAQ ======


**What is an OHDSI collaborative research study?**

A study in which collaborators with data in CDM format run common analytic code to generate results that are then shared with the OHDSI community.

**Will any patient-level data shared?**

No.  OHDSI studies produce only population level aggregate summary results.

**Are IRB protocols provided?**

Individual study proposals may include an IRB.  However, several collaborators have had success with a CDM-based research [[https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29827409/IRB%20OHDSI%20generic.docx|Generic IRB Protocol]].  For individual studies that require custom IRBs, this may serve as a starter template as well.

**How are collaborative research studies proposed?**

Proposals may be submitted by any named collaborator in the OHDSI consortium.  The submission process involves posting a preliminary overview and protocol to the [[research:protocols_in_development|Protocols in Development]] page.   A notification of this posting should also be made on the [[http://forums.ohdsi.org/c/researchers|OHDSI Researchers Forum]].  The study proposal is then reviewed by the community.  This review period, typically 2-3 weeks, will determine level of interest as well as generate suggestions for modification to the study design.

**What are the required elements?**

The required elements for a Proposal can be viewed on the [[research:project_proposal_template_2|Project Proposal Sample Template]].  Some elements may of course change over the review process.

**Is there a project approval process?**

For a study to move from //Proposed// to //Active// status, it must have:

  * At least 2 sites willing to participate
  * Working code that has been tested at at least 2 sites


**How are projects executed at local sites?**

Projects are executed via SQL and/or R code.  In order to make projects runnable at multiple sites running different database dialects (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, Postgres), we employ a tool called SqlRender.  A great way to learn about how these studies are written is to review an [[https://github.com/OHDSI/StudyProtocols/tree/master/Study%201%20-%20Treatment%20Pathways|example study]] on GitHub as well as the SqlRender documentation.  Also feel free to contact us at the user forums.

**How are results returned to the OHDSI community?**

Each study needs a study coordinator who will serve as the contact point.  Results-- which should be both de-identified and aggregate-- should be returned to this individual.  They are then responsible for organizing and analyzing data with the study leadership team for publication and sharing back to the OHDSI community.