On this page:
- Study Design
- Statistical Analysis
- Training and Workshops
Study Design
Below are descriptions of selected study designs that may be advantageous to use in technology and self-management research. Please contact the Technology and Analysis Core for an individual consultation in designing your pilot study and planning your analysis.
Stepped-Wedge Design
The Stepped-Wedge Design is a pragmatic study design which can reconcile the need for robust evaluations with political or logistical constraints. While not exclusively for the evaluation of service delivery interventions, it is particularly suited to evaluations that do not rely on individual patient recruitment. (Heming et al 2015)
- Cluster RCTs and The Stepped Wedge (PPT presentation)
- Heming et al. The stepped wedge cluster randomised trial: rationale, design, analysis, and reporting
BMJ 2015;350:h391. - Brown & Lilford. The stepped wedge trial design: a systematic review. 2006.
- AHRQ. Advanced Methods for Primary Care Research: The Stepped Wedge Design. 2015.
Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST)
Conceptually rooted in engineering, MOST emphasizes efficiency and careful management of resources to move intervention science forward systematically. MOST can be used to guide the evaluation of research evidence, develop optimized interventions, and enhance Type I and Type II translation of research. (Optimizing Behavioral Interventions, Penn State University)
- Collins et al. 2014. Factorial experiments: efficient tools for evaluation of intervention components.
Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART)
Adaptive interventions (also known as “adaptive treatment strategies” or “dynamic treatment regimens”) are individually tailored treatments. Formally, an adaptive intervention is a sequence of decision rules that specify how the intensity or type of treatment should change depending on the patient’s needs. We are developing sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trials (SMART) to enable scientists to build adaptive interventions. (Adaptive Interventions, Penn State University)
- Almirall et al. 2014. Introduction to SMART designs for the development of adaptive interventions: with application to weight loss research.
Other design resources
The Methodology Center at Penn State
Community-Based Participatory Research. This evidence-based curriculum is intended as a tool for community-institutional partnerships that are using or planning to use a CBPR approach to improving health. It can be used by partnerships that are just forming as well as mature partnerships.
Statistical Analysis
Tools
- Sample Size Calculator (SurveySystem.com)
- Statistical Approaches (DataAnalytics.org.uk)
- How to choose the right statistical test – a brief introduction about planning your statistical approach.
- Types of project – different kinds of project lend themselves to various sorts of analytical approach.
- Types of data – there are different kinds of data and knowing what these are can help plan your statistical approach.
- Recording data – how to arrange your data to maximize its effectiveness.
- Key to statistical approaches – a guide to the different sorts of statistical analysis and how to select the right one for your situation.
- Choosing the Correct Statistical Test (Institute for Digitial Research and Education, UCLA)
- Includes programming help in SAS, SPSS, and Stata
Training
BCORe Check Your Knowledge. The Northeastern University Bouve College Office of Research has developed modules to review the basic concepts, methods, and applications of biostatistics. Each module includes a general overview of a topic, examples, knowledge checks, datasets to work on, program coding, and links for additional information.
Currently available modules
- p-values
- Non-inferiority testing
Princeton University Data and Statistical Services. Stata, R, and other documents presented here provide basic tools to get you started in data analysis, including time series analysis.