The Information Management Service (IMS), founded in 2010, operates within the CIUSSS as an enterprise information management unit. We specialize in data management, creating tailored solutions to enhance data collection, optimize workflows, automate processes, generate dynamic reports, manage databases, and support statistical analyses. Using advanced technology, we assist researchers, directors, and managers in improving data traceability, accountability, and reporting.
Our team includes business analysts, project managers, software developers, database and application architects, statisticians, and medical research experts dedicated to project success. We also offer statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and creative content services for project evaluation. Consider us your experts for innovative projects, available on a cost-recovery basis.
IMS has developed numerous custom applications and Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems for studies at the Lady Davis Institute. We focus on designing secure online data portals, workflow tools, CMS-based public websites, and HR management platforms. We also convert paper forms into electronic databases via automated data entry. Our statisticians conduct analyses for abstracts, presentations, peer-reviewed articles, and grant sample size calculations.
Recognizing research data as a major research asset is an important steppingstone in the pursuit of academic excellence. Research activities in many domains, especially in health-related research, create increasingly larger volumes of data that are challenging to manage and analyze effectively. Making research outputs discoverable, reproducible, and reusable, are foundations and principles of modern scholarship. While not all research data are suited to be shared broadly, for ethical, legal, or commercial reasons, adopting best practices in research data management applicable within and between research units is crucial to maintain and maximize public trust and participation in academic research.
Governments, funders, institutions, and research communities recognize that RDM best practices are essential to raise research standards and increase its potential impact and relevance. Properly managed data have both practical and financial benefits to research, such as reducing research duplication, lowering unnecessary burdens on participants due to repetitive sampling, increasing accountability and transparency, allowing replication of research results, fostering collaborations, and accelerating new discoveries.
RDM is an integral part of research. RDM practices enable compliance with fast evolving ethical, legal, and commercial requirements and are a key factor in safeguarding research when necessary. Therefore, it is critical to strive to equip researchers, staff, and trainees with sound RDM practices and stewardship to achieve scientific rigor and enable collaboration.
The LDI vision is to advance health and social sciences knowledge and practices through excellence in research, teaching, and innovation. Within this context we recognize the exceptional and unique importance of the quality and integrity of the research data throughout its lifecycle and therefore are committed to developing and promoting a Research Data Management (RDM) Strategy aligned with word-class practices. We will build on areas of strength and expertise, improving tools, technologies, and services to allow our research community to achieve this goal. The LDI encourages a cost-efficient approach, and we will leverage our relationship with the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS COMTL) and McGill University to find and promote synergies, such as training strategies and content and data repositories.
IMS offers custom online data management solutions using the IMS PowerFlow Platform, following industry standards in Project Management and Agile Development. It employs advanced tools for accurate requirement documentation and uses low-code technology for rapid web and mobile app development. IMS also creates tailored features for researchers and administrators, like randomization, site reimbursement, and research workflow management, helping coordinators monitor participant status and expectations.
PowerFlow Features
IMS offers the REDCap software as a self-service tool for LDI Researchers, providing secure, flexible, and robust data collection.
It is the Principal Investigator’s and their team’s responsibility to set up the REDCap database, create the necessary forms and logic, test all forms and logic and submit an approved JGH Research Ethics Letter to IMS.
The Principal Investigator and their team should familiarize themselves with the software by watching training videos available on the REDCap website.
Business Hours
Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The LDI Information Management Service can be contacted:
