Whitehead, A.L. and Julious, S.A. (2020) Pilot studies in clinical research. In: Wiley StatsRef: Statistics Reference Online. Wiley ISBN 9781118445112
Abstract
Pilot studies are small‐scale studies conducted to gather information and provide a foundation for the design of a definitive trial. They do not seek to estimate treatment efficacy or effectiveness themselves but may be used to assess whether a definitive trial is feasible and how it can be carried out.
The objectives of a study can be met only if a sufficient number of participants are recruited. A formal power calculation is not usually necessary for a pilot study where the focus is on estimation – for example, of feasibility parameters or the population variance – and the precision of these estimates. However, the sample size should still be justified as appropriate to meet the aims of the trial.
The appropriate analysis of a pilot study would usually be a descriptive summary of the parameters of interest, addressing the original trial objectives. The analysis should not contain hypothesis testing for which the trial is not powered. The interpretation of the results should be in line with the feasibility of the planned main trial. The decision‐making process and changes made to the trial design based on the pilot study should be documented, and results presented in accordance with the CONSORT extension for pilot trials. Every effort should be made to publish the trial for transparency and to allow learning to be shared within the research community.
Metadata
Item Type: | Book Section |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Keywords: | Pilot; Feasibility; Sample Size; Randomised Controlled Trials; Clinical Trials |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) > ScHARR - Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 20 Nov 2020 08:06 |
Last Modified: | 20 Nov 2020 08:06 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/9781118445112.stat08205 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168166 |