Hello, Collaborators!
Spit for Science fosters interdisciplinary and cross-campus collaborations here at VCU as well as inter-institutional collaborations with our external partners. We encourage faculty and trainees to get connected with our research community by emailing us at spit4science@vcu.edu
Below you will find options for collaborators interested in accessing our existing datasets as well as those who need additional data collected from our registrants. For a basic overview of the S4S survey and genotypic data that are available for access, we encourage you to review the S4S Data page.
We also facilitate networking in our scientific community consisting of working groups, resource consultants, mentors (for trainees), and collaborator clinics.
Options for Collaboration:
- Description: Researchers may request access to the Spit for Science data (survey and/or genotypic) for the purpose of secondary data analyses.
- General Requirements: Projects must be in line with the broad aims of the project (understanding how genetic and environmental factors contribute to substance use and college behavioral & emotional health outcomes) and unique from projects that are currently ongoing.
- How to Request Data Access:
- Review all collaborator projects, review info about our available data, and discuss your project idea with the S4S Director
- Request the De-Identified Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) from spit4science@vcu.edu
- Send the completed DSA back to the registry for review and approval to access the data
- Get connected with the data and resources available
- Collaborators who are granted access to S4S data are required to:
- Provide updates about their project once a year (upon request by S4S)
- Submit all manuscripts, posters, and presentations to the registry for review and approval prior to their submission to a journal or association/conference
- Return data created in the course of analysis back to the registry (e.g. compiled variables and associated analytic code).
- Description: Spit for Science can carry out Spin-Off Studies, in which we recontact our participants to collect additional measures that are not already in our database. A select number of Spin-Off Studies will be approved annually.
- Requirements: The Spin-Off Study must have funding available for data collection and will require approval by the Spit for Science Director, Steering Committee, and the IRB.
- How to Apply for a Spin-Off Study:
- Review all materials regarding Protocol to Access Participants and Agreement for Approved Protocols (request these from S4S), as well as current/previous Spin-Off Studies
- Develop your project idea and discuss with the S4S Director
- Secure funding (Spit for Science staff must review all grant proposals prior to submission)
- Submit the Agreement for Approved Protocols to spit4science@vcu.edu
- Approved Spin-Off Studies must work closely with S4S staff to develop the study’s IRB protocol and materials to ensure alignment with the registry protocol.
- Spin-Off Study data and resulting analyses are deposited into the Spit for Science registry.