The Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) Database is a valuable resource for a variety of stakeholders. The MSRC established Common Data Elements (CDE) as an instrument to aid investigators with their military suicide research activities. In addition, MSRC Principal Investigators enhance the database by uploading de-identified data from their MSRC projects. All are accountable for the responsible use of this resource. Funded Principal Investigators own their data, the MSRC owns the de-identified aggregate data and has the charge to responsibly make these data available for military and Veteran health and safety and the promotion of military suicide research. The MSRC assures that the data available for use is de-identified and all MSRC staff are up to date on confidentiality and data security training.
The MSRC welcomes the use of the shared aggregated data by researchers who share our goal in improving the lives of service men and women. Upon request, data from MSRC funded projects (see list for available data below) can be provided to Qualified Investigators under a Data Use Agreement (DUA). The DUA provides for a commitment to: 1) use the data only for research purposes; 2) secure the data using appropriate computer technology; and 3) destroy or return the data after analyses are completed. All data users must comply with the Office of Civil Rights’ Privacy Rule (HIPAA) procedures. Additional agreement may also be used to protect intellectual property rights while exchanging information with collaborators, partners, and the larger scientific community.
Please note that the review of existing data is a research activity requiring local IRB review and the DoD Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) review. The research project may be determined to be exempt, but a request for determination by the local IRB and HRPO and a signed DUA are all required before the data will be released. Information regarding the HRPO review can be found at the following link:
http://mrmc.amedd.army.mil/index.cfm?pageid=research_protections.hrpo
The preparation and dissemination of datasets (and suitable instructions and documentation to enable their use and interpretation) consumes resources of the Executive Management (Core A) and Data Cores (Core C). For this reason, the MSRC is not obligated to support an unlimited number of requests for data use. Priority is given to supporting requests from within the MSRC, but even these are subject to resource allocation constraints. Decisions about which data use requests can and cannot be supported are made conjointly by Core A and Core C. Data use requests that occur beyond the period of support of this current MSRC Award may not be able to be supported.
There are three types of data request:
Minor Internal Data Requests
The MSRC accepts internal data requests from MSRC funded Principal Investigators, Members, staff, and trainees. These data requests are intended for internal quality improvement and research purposes and not for presentation or publication. A minor internal data request may be used as background information for a major data request. Minor internal requests are reviewed on a rolling basis by Core C and Core A as resources allow. Typically a final decision regarding the request will be provided within 30 days of the request and depending on the complexity of the request, data will follow within 1-2 weeks. Unless specifically requested, the hypotheses tested for these types of requests are not considered the intellectual property of the requester (unlike the major requests). That is, if other researchers request the same data to address the same hypotheses and provide sufficient justification, the request will be granted.
Major Internal Data Requests
The Major Internal Data request is intended for use by MSRC funded Principal Investigators, Members, staff, and trainees. These data requests are intended for research purposes with the goal of presentation, publication, or preliminary data for a grant proposal. Major requests are reviewed on a rolling basis by Core C and Core A as resources allow. Typically a final decision regarding the request will be provided within 60 days of the request and depending on the complexity of the request, data will follow within 2-3 weeks.
The hypotheses and analyses outlined for this type of request is considered the intellectual property of the requester from the standpoint of the MSRC for one year from the time the data is released. That is, we will not share the same data for the same purposes to other requestors. However, it is required that the data be included in a publication (in press or print), a conference presentation, or a submitted grant proposal to an external funding agency within one year of the release of the data. The citation for the publication or presentation or the grant submission information must be provided to the director of the data core ASAP, but no longer than one year from the date of the request. Requestors may apply for an extension, but justification for such an extension must be provided.
Major External Data Requests
The Major External Data request is intended for use by other Qualified Investigators. These data requests are intended for research purposes with the goal of presentation, publication, or preliminary data for a grant proposal. Qualified Investigators are determined by Core A and Core C. Major requests are reviewed on a rolling basis by Core C and Core A as resources allow. Typically a final decision regarding the request will be provided within 60 days of the request and depending on the complexity of the request, data will follow within 2-3 weeks.
The hypotheses and analyses outlined for this type of request is considered the intellectual property of the requester from the standpoint of the MSRC for one year from the time the data is released. That is, we will not share the same data for the same purposes to other requestors. However, it is required that the data be included in a publication (in press or print), a conference presentation, or a submitted grant proposal to an external funding agency within one year of the release of the data. The citation for the publication or presentation or the grant submission information must be provided to the director of the data core ASAP, but no longer than one year from the date of the request. Requestors may apply for an extension, but justification for such an extension must be provided.
Data available as of 6/25/19 with current available max n (in each case some missing data assumed) and % Currently Serving, Veteran, No Military Service, and Missing Service Information for the variable/scale. The n and % for available data will be updated as new data are shared with the MSRC data core and merged with existing data.
Military Suicide Research Consortium Common Data Elements (current max n = 6,556; 40% Currently Serving, 27% Veteran, 27% No Military Service, 6% Missing Service Information)
Basic Demographics: (current max n = 6,556; 40% Currently Serving, 27% Veteran, 27% No Military Service, 6% Missing Service Information) Complete List of Available Demographic Variables: Age, Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Education, Relationship Status, Deployment (y/n), Military Branch, Active Duty (y/n), Any Service (current, veteran, civilian)
Basic Study Information: (current max n = 6,556; 40% Currently Serving, 27% Veteran, 27% No Military Service, 6% Missing Service Information) (data collection method, note if additional information for each project requested, please be explicit in the data request form)
Additional Full Scales: