An evaluation of constrained randomization for the design and analysis of group-randomized trials.

ABSTRACT: In group-randomized trials, a frequent practical limitation to adopting rigorous research designs is that only a small number of groups may be available, and therefore, simple randomization cannot be relied upon to balance key group-level prognostic factors across the comparison arms. Constrained randomization is an allocation technique proposed for ensuring balance and can be used together with a permutation test for randomization-based inference. However, several statistical issues have not been thoroughly studied when constrained randomization is considered. Therefore, we used simulations to evaluate key issues including the following: the impact of the choice of the candidate set size and the balance metric used to guide randomization; the choice of adjusted versus unadjusted analysis;

SUBMITTER: Li F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4826850 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature