DELTA2 guidance on choosing the target difference and undertaking and reporting the sample size calculation for a randomised controlled trial

Jonathan A. Cook* (Corresponding Author), Steven A. Julious, William Sones, Lisa V. Hampson, Catherine Hewitt, Jesse A. Berlin, Deborah Ashby, Richard Emsley, Dean A. Fergusson, Stephen J. Walters, Edward C.F. Wilson, Graeme Maclennan, Nigel Stallard, Joanne C. Rothwell, Martin Bland, Louise Brown, Craig R. Ramsay, Andrew Cook, David Armstrong, Doug AltmanLuke D. Vale

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)
9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: A key step in the design of a RCT is the estimation of the number of participants needed in the study. The most common approach is to specify a target difference between the treatments for the primary outcome and then calculate the required sample size. The sample size is chosen to ensure that the trial will have a high probability (adequate statistical power) of detecting a target difference between the treatments should one exist. The sample size has many implications for the conduct and interpretation of the study. Despite the critical role that the target difference has in the design of a RCT, the way in which it is determined has received little attention. In this article, we summarise the key considerations and messages from new guidance for researchers and funders on specifying the target difference, and undertaking and reporting a RCT sample size calculation. This article on choosing the target difference for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and undertaking and reporting the sample size calculation has been dual published in the BMJ and BMC Trials journals Methods: The DELTA2 (Difference ELicitation in TriAls) project comprised five major components: systematic literature reviews of recent methodological developments (stage 1) and existing funder guidance (stage 2); a Delphi study (stage 3); a two-day consensus meeting bringing together researchers, funders and patient representatives (stage 4); and the preparation and dissemination of a guidance document (stage 5). Results and Discussion: The key messages from the DELTA2 guidance on determining the target difference and sample size calculation for a randomised caontrolled trial are presented. Recommendations for the subsequent reporting of the sample size calculation are also provided.

Original languageEnglish
Article number606
JournalTrials
Volume19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Nov 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding
Funding for this work was received from the MRC/NIHR MRP in response to an open commissioned call for an Effect Size Methodology State-of-the-art Workshop. The Health Services Research Unit, Institute of Applied Health Sciences (University of Aberdeen), is core-funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates. The funders had no involvement in study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, reporting or the decision to publish.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'DELTA2 guidance on choosing the target difference and undertaking and reporting the sample size calculation for a randomised controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this