The Methodology and Advanced Analytics Resource Center (MAARC), based at the University of Chicago, provides data infrastructure and statistical and analytic expertise to support individual JCOIN studies and cross-site data harmonization. In addition, the center is conducting statistical modeling, survey research, and policy studies to contextualize and extend the findings of the JCOIN Hub studies.
The MAARC consists of four cores:
Principal Investigators
John Schneider
MD, MPH, University of Chicago
Harold Pollack
PhD, University of Chicago
Administrative Core
The MAARC’s Administrative (Admin) Core provides overarching resources and organizational structure and management to the MAARC. The Admin Core collaborates closely with the CTC to provide monitoring of progress of research projects across the entire JCOIN network and ensures findings are translatable and relevant to stakeholders within justice and community-based service settings.
Core Leads
- John Schneider, MD, MPH, University of Chicago
- Harold Pollack, PhD, University of Chicago
- Mainza Durrell, Project Director, University of Chicago
Advanced Methods and Research Core
The Advanced Methods and Research Core (AMRC) provides a suite of rigorous capabilities to enhance the validity, generalizability, and policy impact of JCOIN clinical trials. By illuminating mechanisms associated with intervention success, these advanced modeling approaches allow exploration of additional unobserved or downstream outcomes in specific trials.
The AMRC consists of three sub-cores:
- Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) helps researchers to explore underlying mechanisms and epidemiological processes such as the health and mortality pathways of individuals who experience nonfatal overdose (OD) or who initiate MOUD treatment.
- Predictive Analytics helps researchers to predict, usually through machine learning, which opioid users are at highest risk of re-offending, fatal or nonfatal overdose, and thus who should be provided the most intensive outreach and service resources.
- Network and Spatial Analyses allow researchers and clinical interventionists to explore questions such as the spread of opioid or other drug use within social and spatial networks.
Core Leads
- John Schneider, MD, MPH, University of Chicago
- Harold Pollack, PhD, University of Chicago
- Jonathan Ozik, PhD, University of Chicago
- Marynia Kolak, PhD, University of Chicago
Data and Analytics Support Core
The Data and Analytics Support Core (DASC) facilitates access to and collection, archiving, and storage of data within JCOIN. The DASC uses statistical approaches and techniques to inform study design and implementation, as well as to analyze data within and across studies. Data is collected with cloud computing infrastructure and services for sharing information.
Core Leads
- Phil Schumm, MA, University of Chicago
- Robert Grossman, PhD, University of Chicago
Policy and Practice Observational and Survey Research Core
The Policy and Practice Observational and Survey Research Core (P2S), led by researchers at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC), provides support to conduct research on existing and dynamic changes in policy and practices within the justice system, as well as in community-based settings. Public opinion surveys, along with surveys of justice agencies and key stakeholders, provide valuable context for the JCOIN Hub studies.
Core Leads
- Luc Anselin, PhD, University of Chicago
- Bruce Taylor, PhD, National Opinion Research Center