Role of feasibility and pilot studies in randomised controlled trials: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the value of pilot and feasibility studies to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. To explore the methodological components of pilot/feasibility studies and how they inform full RCTs.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Both groups included NIHR HTA programme funded studies in the period 1 January 2010-31 December 2014 (decision date). Group 1: stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies published in the HTA Journal or accepted for publication. Group 2: all funded RCT applications funded by the HTA programme, including reference to an internal and/or external pilot/feasibility study. The methodological components were assessed using an adapte

SUBMITTER: Blatch-Jones AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6169762 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature