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Minimize the Use of Minimization with Unequal Allocation
Author(s) -
Proschan Michael,
Brittain Erica,
Kammerman Lisa
Publication year - 2011
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.1541-0420.2010.01545.x
Subject(s) - resampling , minification , randomization , permutation (music) , sample size determination , computer science , popularity , test (biology) , cost minimization analysis , mathematical optimization , clinical trial , statistics , mathematics , econometrics , medicine , algorithm , psychology , social psychology , paleontology , physics , pathology , acoustics , biology
Summary Minimization as an alternative to randomization is gaining popularity for small clinical trials. In response to critics’ questions about the proper analysis of such a trial, proponents have argued that a rerandomization approach, akin to a permutation test with conventional randomization, can be used. However, they add that this computationally intensive approach is not necessary because its results are very similar to those of a t ‐test or test of proportions unless the sample size is very small. We show that minimization applied with unequal allocation causes problems that challenge this conventional wisdom.