Abstract for: A system dynamics analysis to determine willingness to wait and pay for inclusion of data standards in clinical research

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of the extra time and cost required for different levels of data standards maturity and the corresponding likelihood of researchers complying with data standards. System Dynamics analysis was used in pursuit of this objective. Ten Brazilian and 18 American investigators were presented an online questionnaire with possible scenarios regarding options for data standards implementation, and asked to choose one of the two options presented. A preference for minimal (low cost) standards compared with both intermediate and full standardization was observed. A similar result was observed for time delay in project start-up. Investigators were more likely to incur costs than to accept a time delay in project start-up, and would prefer to implement the lowest possible level of standards that will make them compliant. Their preference is swayed when they are presented with a free alternative versus an expensive one.