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Chapter 6: Research and Working in the Cancer Data Science Field

Why should you use artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) in your cancer research project? By the end of this chapter, you’ll break down this buzzword to better understand what AI and ML techniques are, get tips for where to start, and see how NCI-funded researchers leverage the technology for their projects.

Watch the Video

Watch 5 Tips for Working with a Cancer Data Science Team (approx. 6 minutes long).

Test Your Knowledge

Which of these specialists does not work with data?

A. Bioinformaticians
B. Oncologists
C. Cancer Researchers
D. Statisticians
E. All of these specialists work with data

The correct answer is E. Each of these professionals is a vital member of the cancer data science team, contributing their unique skill sets to improve our understanding of how to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer.

The incorrect answers are: 

A. Bioinformaticians help process, analyze, package, and visualize data.

B. Oncologists help generate and collect data. This includes gathering clinical data and monitoring patient outcomes from many sources, such as clinical trials, patient records, and treatment results. Oncologists not involved in research also use data analysis techniques to inform their diagnostic and treatment decisions.

C. Cancer researchers are essential members of the cancer data science team, helping to generate and collect data from a variety of studies.

D. Statisticians help design studies, analyze data, and visualize results. They apply statistical methods to interpret data trends and support evidence-based conclusions.

Don't Stop Now

Continue your learning through these other NCI-funded resources.

Instructor

Subhashini Jagu, Ph.D., NCI Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT)
Dr. Jagu is a scientific policy and program branch chief as well as supervisory health scientist administrator in the Office of Data Sharing. Her role encompasses the provision of scientific programmatic oversight and expertise, particularly in the realm of NCI data sharing initiatives, with a dedicated emphasis on the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI). She takes the lead in formulating policies and guidelines pertaining to data depositions.

For questions and feedback about this chapter, email our team at ncicbiit@mail.nih.gov

  • Updated:

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