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Adaptive Modifications of Hypotheses After an Interim Analysis
Author(s) -
Hommel Gerhard
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
biometrical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-4036
pISSN - 0323-3847
DOI - 10.1002/1521-4036(200109)43:5<581::aid-bimj581>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - interim , a priori and a posteriori , interim analysis , problem statement , statement (logic) , set (abstract data type) , computer science , order (exchange) , econometrics , operations research , mathematical economics , mathematics , management science , epistemology , economics , randomized controlled trial , medicine , political science , philosophy , programming language , finance , surgery , law
It is investigated how one can modify hypotheses in a trial after an interim analysis such that the type I error rate is controlled. If only a global statement is desired, a solution was given by Bauer (1989). For a general multiple testing problem, Kieser , Bauer and Lehmacher (1999) and Bauer and Kieser (1999) gave solutions, by means of which the initial set of hypotheses can be reduced after the interim analysis. The same techniques can be applied to obtain more flexible strategies, as changing weights of hypotheses, changing an a priori order, or even including new hypotheses. It is emphasized that the application of these methods requires very careful planning of a trial as well as a critical discussion of the scientific aims in order to avoid every manipulation.