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Basic concepts of group sequential and adaptive group sequential test procedures

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Abstract

Based on the concept of repeated significance tests, an empirical study may be planned in subsequent stages. Group sequential test procedures offer the possibility of performing the study with a fixed number of observations per stage. At least, the number of observations must be chosen independently of the observed data. In adaptive group sequential test procedures, the number of observations can be changed during the course of the study using all results observed so far. In this article, the basic concepts of these two designs are reviewed. Recent developments in adaptive designs are outlined and potential fields of application are given.

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  1. Institut für Medizinische Statistik, Informatik und Epidemiologie, Universität zu Köln, Josef-Stelzmann-Straße 9, 50924, Köln, Germany

    Gernot Wassmer

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Wassmer, G. Basic concepts of group sequential and adaptive group sequential test procedures. Statistical Papers 41, 253–279 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02925923

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