Technical Support
CSS puts science first. All CSS scientific staff have conducted basic and/or applied research, participated in site visits, and presented and published through scientific forums. Through this experience, they have developed a strong understanding of laboratory techniques, data analysis, literature and other scientific information resources and venues for scientific information exchange. Our scientific staff provide a variety of services that require discipline-specific expertise coupled with an understanding of regulatory requirements, document development standards, reference documentation, information verification, and public communications. Our technical support services include:
- Technical Writing
- Literature Search and Analysis
- Statistical Analysis
Technical Writing
CSS scientific writers are experienced in writing in a concise and informative manner, varying writing styles for different informational pieces. Examples include documents that are written for technical (peer-reviewed publications), legislative (white papers, testimony), instructional (training courses, websites, user manuals), and promotional (brochures) purposes. All documents are carefully crafted to be technically accurate, concise and error-free. Content is appropriately targeted to the reader, including lay, legislative, technical and scientific audiences. CSS staff also develop and present professional, oral summaries of scientific information to all types of audiences.
Literature search and analysis
Scientific literature is voluminous and complex. Technical proficiency, as well as a conceptual understanding, is required in order to efficiently extract relevant information from the vast amounts of literature available. CSS staff are expertly skilled in the use of literature search tools and premier resources, proven strategies for rapid review and synthesis, and technical analysis to provide our clients with rapid and comprehensive summaries of the latest findings in the scientific community.
Statistical Analysis
Comprehensive statistical analysis requires a priori design of analysis plans to ensure that the data collection methodologies, as well as the resulting data, are appropriate and statistically sound. CSS statisticians work closely with technical experts such as epidemiologists, demographers, and computer programmers to determine precise metrics and data management requirements for each study. Sampling protocols, pilot tests, logic checks and data modeling are all part of standard design. Analysis reports include not only data and results, but details on power calculations and summaries of statistical procedures.