Investigators not previously associated with WHI have the opportunity to use the WHI resource for scientific activities. The primary route involves collaborating with an existing WHI investigator who will serve as a sponsor, orienting a new investigator to both the data and specimen resources and to the process for obtaining access and approvals as well as participating in the scientific process. Potential sponsors may be found at WHI Investigators.
There are two basic types of activities that a researcher may pursue:
- A manuscript proposal that seeks to analyze existing data,
- An ancillary study, which proposes to collect additional data either directly from the participant or indirectly (e.g., from linkage to another dataset or through analysis of WHI biospecimens).
A description of the available data may be found at WHI data here and the biospecimen resource is described here. Manuscript proposals are reviewed by the WHI Publications and Presentations Committee (P&P) twice per month. Ancillary study proposals are reviewed by the Ancillary Study Committee monthly. Guidelines and forms for submission for each may be found under the link “Write a Paper” or “Propose a Study” on the left side of this page.
Before proposing either type of activity, it is advisable to review both approved manuscript proposals and current and completed studies to assure that no one else is already working on your topic.
Non-WHI investigators may also be interested in participating in one or more of WHI’s Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs). The SIGs meet by conference call regularly to share information, stimulate ideas, and coordinate scientific activities in line with their mutual interests. You need not be a WHI investigator to participate in a SIG.
Investigators may use the WHI data independently of the WHI investigators. Please visit the NHLBI website for instructions to gain access to archived WHI data through the NHLBI BioLINCC.