This procedure computes power and sample size for non-inferiority tests in two-sample designs in which the outcome is a continuous normal random variable. Measurements are made on individuals that have been randomly assigned to one of two groups. This is sometimes referred to as a parallel-groups design. This design is used in situations such as the comparison of the income level of two regions...

The ProbabilisticRoadMap planner (PRM) has been applied with success to multiple planning problems involving robots with 3 to 16 degrees of freedom (dof) operating in known static environments. This paper describes the planner and reports on experimental and theoretical results related to its performance. PRM computation consists of a preprocessing and a query phase. Preprocessing, which is don...

In this paper we use simulations to compare the performance of new goodness-of-fit tests based on weighted statistical processes to three currently available tests: the Hosmer-Lemeshow decile-of-risk test; the Pearson chi-square, and the unweighted sum-of-squares tests. The simulations demonstrate that all tests have the correct size. The power for all tests to detect lack-of-fit due to an omit...

There is considerable interest in methods that use accumulated data to modify trial sample size. However, sample size re-estimation in group sequential designs has been controversial. We describe a method for sample size re-estimation at the penultimate stage of a group sequential design that achieves specified power against an alternative hypothesis corresponding to the current point estimate ...

This paper discusses the statistical principles, methods, and software programs used to calculate sample size. In addition, it reviews the practical challenges faced in calculating sample size. We show that because of such challenges, statistical calculations often do not provide us with a clear-cut number for the study sample size; rather they suggest a range of reasonable numbers. The paper a...

Network meta-analysis is becoming more popular as a way to compare multiple treatments simultaneously. Here, we develop a new estimation method for fitting models for network meta-analysis with random inconsistency effects. This method is an extension of the procedure originally proposed by DerSimonian and Laird. Our methodology allows for inconsistency within the network. The proposed procedur...

It has been demonstrated recently that the empirical significance levels of the J-type tests introduced by Kelejian (2008) can be controlled in many cases by the use of a bootstrap to construct a reference distribution. When the spatial parameter estimates lie outside the invertibility region constructing bootstrap samples is problematic, however, and the present paper explores how far this pra...

Statistical sciences have recently made advancements that allow improved precision or reduced sample size in clinical research studies. Herein, we review 4 of the more promising: (1) improvements in approaches for dose selection trials, (2) approaches for sample size adjustment, (3) selection of study end point and associated statistical methods, and (4) frequentist versus Bayesian statistical ...

A PhRMA Working Group on adaptive clinical trial designs has been formed to investigate and facilitate opportunities for wider acceptance and usage of adaptive designs and related methodologies. A White Paper summarizing the findings of the group is in preparation; this article is an Executive Summary for that full White Paper, and summarizes the findings and recommendations of the group. Logis...

S size is a crucial component of research design. More often researchers want sample size to be justified on non statistical grounds. For example, a researcher may say that I could get only these many cases in the specified time period so as a statistician do something to make the study valid in spite of whatever sample size I have used. Similarly, financial constraint is sometimes cited an exc...