Data Requests

Following is an overview of the process to request additional internal data analyses to be performed by the SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC) or datasets for external use (analyses to be performed outside of SDMC). 
 

Requests for Additional Internal Data Analyses

SWOG-led study data analyses are performed by the SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC). Investigators who wish to request additional data analyses beyond the NCI-approved SWOG-led study objectives must first consult the applicable SWOG Research Committee Chair and then submit a brief proposal for Research Committee review. 

Requests for Data Sharing for External Analyses

Data that is accessible via the NCTN / NCORP Data Archive should be requested via NCI-sponsored clinical data website: https://nctn-data-archive.nci.nih.gov/.

For data that are not included in the NCTN / NCORP Data Archive: SWOG also makes research data available externally to investigators and pharmaceutical companies, in accordance with the policies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI).  Please refer to SWOG Policy 43: Requests for Patient Data from Investigators and Pharmaceutical Companies.

  • To access a dataset (including retrospective access to images, such as radiology scans or scans of FFPE tissue slides) from a SWOG-led study for external analyses, the proposed request must be discussed with the relevant SWOG statistician and then approved by the SWOG Executive Committee. After obtaining SWOG Executive Committee approval, Data Use Agreement(s) must be executed. Dependent upon the request, funding agreement(s) to offset the costs of data preparation and/or statistical analysis may also be required.
  • Carefully review the SWOG-led protocol (from which data is being requested) objectives and endpoints prior to contacting the SWOG statistician to discuss the proposed data request.
    • Objectives for the proposed data analyses may already be included in the protocol (pending analysis and publication).
    • Please refer to the Data Request Process Training Video and Slide Set for instructions on how to access SWOG-led protocols and associated case report forms.
    • Data analyses for objectives included in the NCI-approved protocol will be analyzed internally at the SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center.
    • Data requests involving any existing study endpoints will only be considered by the SWOG Executive Review Committee after the primary results have been published.
  • After discussion of the data request with the applicable SWOG Research Committee statistician, complete the Data Request Template for submission to the SWOG Executive Committee for review and approval.
  • Please refer to the Data Request Process Flowchart and Training Materials below for more information.
    • Data Request Process Flowchart (for download).
    • Data Request Process Training Video (forthcoming link) and Slide Set for non-SWOG members.
    • Data Request Process Training course for SWOG members (forthcoming link).