Project title: Choosing covariates in the analysis of cluster randomised trials
Based at:
Centre for Health Sciences
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Queen Mary, University of London
A statistics graduate, with at least an upper second class bachelor’s
degree, or a lower second class bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree in
a relevant discipline, and with an interest in medical statistics, is
required for this PhD project based at the Centre for Health Sciences,
Whitechapel, to commence in October 2009.
Cluster randomised trials are increasingly popular. A gap in knowledge in
relation to such trials is determining which covariates to include in the
trial analysis. In trials in which individuals are randomised, increases in
power and reductions in bias arise if variables correlated with outcomes,
such as levels of outcome collected at baseline, are introduced into
analyses. In cluster randomised trials covariates can occur at two levels,
the cluster and the individual level, and there may be complicated
relationships between covariates at different levels. There has been a small
amount of work in this area but a comprehensive review is needed
particularly for non-continuous and non-normally distributed outcomes.
The aim of this project is to review existing knowledge and practice in
relation to choosing covariates in cluster randomised trials and to develop
recommendations for choosing covariates to enter into analyses of cluster
randomised trials. The project will involve systematically reviewing
methodological literature and empirical trial reports, analysis of data from
empirical trials and simulation.
The Centre has over 15 years’ experience in conducting trials and was rated
fourth in the UK in health services research in the 2008 Research Assessment
Exercise. The successful applicant will be based within the Pragmatic
Clinical Trials Unit located within the Centre and will have extensive
training opportunities both in research and statistical methods as
appropriate. The Centre currently hosts 14 PhD students across a range of
disciplines with community health sciences.
For an informal discussion please contact the lead project supervisor:
Dr S Bremner
Tel: 020 7882 2547 Email: [log in to unmask]
Or co-supervisor:
Prof S Eldridge
Tel: 020 7882 2519 Email: [log in to unmask]
To apply, please download the School of Medicine & Dentistry application
form from our website: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/index.html
and return to the Graduate School Office - email: [log in to unmask]
Please note that we accept postal and electronic applications.
Referees may email references directly to [log in to unmask]
This studentship is funded by Medical Research Council and comes with a tax
free stipend of £15,510 per annum. This studentship is open to UK
Nationals, EEA/Swiss migrant workers and non UK nationals with indefinite
leave to remain in the UK who all have three years ordinary residence in the
UK prior to the start of the studentship.
Closing date for applications is Friday 26th June 2009
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