title: Evaluating individual intervention components: making decisions based on the results of a factorial screening experiment.
abstract: The multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) is a framework for not only evaluating but also optimizing behavioral interventions. A tool critical for MOST is the screening experiment, which enables efficient gathering of information for deciding which components to include in an optimized intervention. This article outlines a procedure for making decisions based on data from a factorial screening experiment. The decision making procedure is illustrated with artificial data generated to resemble empirical data. The illustration suggests that this approach is useful for selecting intervention components and settings based on the results of a factorial screening experiment. It is important to develop methods for making decisions based on factorial screening experiments. The approach demonstrated here is potentially useful, but has limited generalizability. Future research should develop additional decision making procedures for a variety of situations.
authors.affiliation: The Methodology Center, Pennsylvania State University, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 400, State College, PA 16801 USA ; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA USA.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: The Methodology Center, Pennsylvania State University, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 400, State College, PA 16801 USA ; Department of Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA USA.
authors.forename: Jessica B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Trail
authors.affiliation: The Methodology Center, Pennsylvania State University, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 400, State College, PA 16801 USA.
authors.forename: Kari C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kugler
authors.affiliation: Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA.
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA.
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mermelstein
keywords: Behavioral interventions; Comparative effectiveness; Factorial experiments; Multiphase optimization strategy