title: Note on the design of multi-institution three-treatment studies.
abstract: Attention has recently focused on the appropriate use of statistics for the analysis of end results from clinical trials, with a corresponding lack of emphasis concerning the experimental design of such studies. In this paper, a particular design for a three-treatment multi-institution clinical trial is reviewed due to its recent increase in popularity. Although it may appear desirable at first, further investigation indicates that several difficulties may arise in the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the data. Defects of the design are discussed, and an alternative design is recommended.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D012107:Research Design