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Table 2 List of topics identified as priorities by more than one Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) Director from round one (primary list) ordered by round three priority ranks

From: The trials methodological research agenda: results from a priority setting exercise

 

Round 2 (32 responders)

Round 3 (24 responders)

  

Topic

1 to 3

Scores* 4 to 6

7 to 9

1 to 3

Scores* 4 to 6

7 to 9

  

% responders

% responders

Consensus?

Rank

Methods to boost recruitment

0.0

43.8

56.3

0.0

16.7

83.3

Consensus in

1

Choosing appropriate outcomes to measure

3.1

28.1

68.8

0.0

29.2

70.8

Consensus in

2

Methods to minimise attrition

6.3

40.6

53.1

0.0

29.2

70.8

Consensus in

2

Methods to minimise bias in trials when blinding is not possible

0.0

40.6

59.4

0.0

33.3

66.7

 

4

Pragmatic trials

0.0

56.3

43.8

0.0

45.8

54.2

 

5

Design and analysis of pilot/feasibility trials

6.3

46.9

46.9

4.2

41.7

54.2

 

6

Calculating sample size

21.9

31.3

46.9

12.5

33.3

54.2

 

7

Methods for dealing with missing data

3.1

59.4

37.5

0.0

58.3

41.7

 

8

Phase II trials

15.6

50.0

34.4

16.7

50.0

33.3

 

9

Complex interventions

3.1

62.5

34.4

0.0

70.8

29.2

 

10

Consent in emergency settings

12.5

46.9

40.6

0.0

70.8

29.2

 

10

Methods for trial monitoring

9.4

65.6

25.0

8.3

62.5

29.2

 

12

Adjustment for non-adherence to treatment protocol

6.3

53.1

40.6

4.2

70.8

25.0

 

13

Stratified medicine design

6.3

56.3

37.5

8.3

66.7

25.0

 

14

Primary care trials

18.8

56.3

25.0

12.5

62.5

25.0

 

15

Interim analysis/Data Monitoring issues

9.4

65.6

25.0

0.0

79.2

20.8

 

16

Adaptive designs

0.0

62.5

37.5

4.2

75.0

20.8

 

17

Equivalence/non-inferiority trials

12.5

62.5

25.0

12.5

66.7

20.8

 

18

Dealing with clustering effects

6.3

65.6

28.1

4.2

79.2

16.7

 

19

Methods for economic analysis

12.5

65.6

21.9

8.3

75.0

16.7

 

20

Cluster trials

12.5

62.5

25.0

12.5

70.8

16.7

 

21

Evaluation of electronic data capture methods

28.1

50.0

21.9

20.8

62.5

16.7

 

22

e-trials

12.5

62.5

25.0

8.3

79.2

12.5

 

23

Multi-arm Multi-stage (MAMS) designs

12.5

75.0

12.5

12.5

75.0

12.5

 

24

Stepped wedge designs

15.6

65.6

18.8

16.7

75.0

8.3

 

25

Randomisation methods

34.4

53.1

12.5

33.3

58.3

8.3

 

26

Multiplicity

15.6

81.3

3.1

8.3

87.5

4.2

 

27

Radiotherapy study designs

59.4

34.4

6.3

75.0

20.8

4.2

Consensus out

28

  1. *Scores 1 to 3: topic not important; Scores 4 to 6: topic important but not critical; Scores 7 to 9: topic critical.