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A Unifying Family of Group Sequential Test Designs
Author(s) -
Kittelson John M.,
Emerson Scott S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
biometrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.298
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1541-0420
pISSN - 0006-341X
DOI - 10.1111/j.0006-341x.1999.00874.x
Subject(s) - generalization , computer science , sequential analysis , selection (genetic algorithm) , process (computing) , limit (mathematics) , engineering design process , boundary (topology) , design process , group (periodic table) , theoretical computer science , machine learning , mathematics , programming language , work in process , engineering , statistics , mechanical engineering , mathematical analysis , operations management , chemistry , organic chemistry
Summary. Currently, the design of group sequential clinical trials requires choosing among several distinct design categories, design scales, and strategies for determining stopping rules. This approach can limit the design selection process so that clinical issues are not fully addressed. This paper describes a family of designs that unifies previous approaches and allows continuous movement among the previous categories. This unified approach facilitates the process of tailoring the design to address important clinical issues. The unified family of designs is constructed from a generalization of a four‐boundary group sequential design in which the shape and location of each boundary can be independently specified. Methods for implementing the design using error‐spending functions are described. Examples illustrating the use of the design family are also presented.