An Introduction to Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials is now widely accepted as the only sound basis for assessing the efficacy of new treatments. Since the inception of modern trials in the 1940's, their use and the associated methodology has grown rapidly, and there in now a considerable body of knowledge that must now be assimilated by anyone studying the subject. Statisticians have been amongst the foremost contributors to this methodology, with medical statisticians being involved in the conduct of numerous trials. This important new book provides undergraduates, masters students and researcher with a concise introduction to the principles used in this area. It introduces readers to the concepts behind randomization methods and their analysis, and includes chapters on meta-analysis and specialized designs, such as cluster-randomization trails, crossover trials and equivalence studies. It assumes no underlying medical background and material from each chapter is illustrated with problems and real-life examples.