scholarly journals Target and actual sample sizes for studies from two trial registries from 1999 to 2020: an observational study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053377
Author(s):  
Adrian Gerard Barnett ◽  
Paul Glasziou
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Large Trial ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Actual Sample ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Target Sample ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Over Time

ObjectivesTo investigate differences between target and actual sample sizes, and what study characteristics were associated with sample sizes.DesignObservational study.SettingThe large trial registries of clinicaltrials.gov (starting in 1999) and ANZCTR (starting in 2005) through to 2021.ParticipantsOver 280 000 interventional studies excluding studies that were withheld, terminated for safety reasons or were expanded access.Main outcome measuresThe actual and target sample sizes, and the within-study ratio of the actual to target sample size.ResultsMost studies were small: the median actual sample sizes in the two databases were 60 and 52. There was a decrease over time in the target sample size of 9%–10% per 5 years, and a larger decrease of 18%–21% per 5 years for the actual sample size. The actual-to-target sample size ratio was 4.1% lower per 5 years, meaning more studies (on average) failed to hit their target sample size.ConclusionRegistered studies are more often under-recruited than over-recruited and worryingly both target and actual sample sizes appear to have decreased over time, as has the within-study gap between the target and actual sample size. Declining sample sizes and ongoing concerns about underpowered studies mean more research is needed into barriers and facilitators for improving recruitment and accessing data.

scholarly journals Secular trends in weight, height and weight for height among children under 7 years in nine cities of China, 1975–2015: results from five repeated cross-sectional surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e029201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya Qin Zhang ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Hua Hong Wu ◽  
Xin Nan Zong
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Increasing Trends ◽  
Over Time

ObjectiveTo analyse the secular trends in mean value and distribution of weight, height and weight for height in children under 7 years in developed regions in China.DesignFive repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted using the same methods at the same sites during 1975–2015.SettingNine cities in northern, central and southern regions of China.PopulationHealthy children under 7 years; the sample sizes were 94 496 in 1975, 79 177 in 1985, 79 152 in 1995, 69 760 in 2005 and 83 583 in 2015.Main outcome measuresWeight and height were measured by the same methods in the five surveys.ResultsThe increasing trends in the mean value of weight, height and weight for height were observed and their distribution was found to have shifted upwards. There were unbalanced increments in various centiles and the relative increments in the 3rd centile of height for children under 7 years were larger than those in the 50th and 97th centiles. Although the relative increments in the 3rd centile of weight for children under 2 years were larger than those in the 50th and 97th centiles, the increments in the 97th centile for children older than 2 years became the largest compared with other centiles. The changes in each centile of weight for height were similar with those of weight. The annual increments of height and weight increased over time and were more significant between birth and 2 years of age for height and between ages 4 years and 6 years for weight. The per-decade increments in 1975–1985, 1985–1995 and 1995–2005 became larger, while those in 2005–2015 slowed down.ConclusionsThe rapid increasing trends of weight, height and weight for height had slowed down since 2005 in developed regions of China. The relative increments in the low centile of height were more significant, while the high centile of weight and weight for height increased more significantly in older children.

A systematic review of pregnancy exposure registries: examination of protocol-specified pregnancy outcomes, target sample size, and comparator selection

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Gelperin ◽  
Hoda Hammad ◽  
Kira Leishear ◽  
Steven T. Bird ◽  
Lockwood Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Target Sample

scholarly journals Using Facebook and LinkedIn to Recruit Nurses for an Online Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehudis Stokes ◽  
Amanda Vandyk ◽  
Janet Squires ◽  
Jean-Daniel Jacob ◽  
Wendy Gifford
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Participant Recruitment ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Target Sample ◽  
English Speaking

Social media is an emerging tool used by researchers; however, limited information is available on its use for participant recruitment specifically. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of Facebook and LinkedIn social media sites in the recruitment of nurses for an online survey, using a 5-week modified online Dillman approach. Within 3 weeks, we exceeded our target sample size ( n = 170) and within 5 weeks recruited 267 English-speaking nurses ( n = 172, Facebook; n = 95, LinkedIn). Advantages included speed of recruitment, cost-efficiency, snowballing effects, and accessibility of the researcher to potential participants. However, an analysis of the recruited participants revealed significant differences when comparing the sociodemographics of participants recruited through Facebook and LinkedIn, specifically relating to the characteristics of sex, age, and level of education. Differences between Facebook and LinkedIn as recruitment platforms should be considered when incorporating these strategies.

scholarly journals Is the Course of Headache Complaints Related to the Course of Orofacial Pain and Disability in Patients Treated for Temporomandibular Pain? An Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 7780
Author(s):  
Hedwig A. van der Meer ◽  
Letícia B. Calixtre ◽  
Caroline M. Speksnijder ◽  
Raoul H. H. Engelbert ◽  
Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Pain Scale ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Over Time

Migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and headaches attributed to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are prevalent in patients with TMD-pain. The objective was to describe the course of headache complaints as compared to the course of TMD complaints in TMD-pain patients with headache during usual care multidisciplinary treatment for TMD. This was a 12-week longitudinal observational study following adults with TMD-pain and headache during a usual-care multidisciplinary TMD-treatment. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale was used for both TMD and headache to measure pain-related disability (primary outcome measure), pain intensity, days with pain and days experiencing disability (secondary outcome measures). Stratified for the headache type, general linear modelling for repeated measures was used to analyze changes over time in the TMD complaints and the headache complaints. TMD-pain patients with migraine (n = 22) showed significant decrease of pain-related disability for both TMD and headache complaints over time. No difference in the effect over time was found between the two complaints. Patients with TMD-pain and TTH (n = 21) or headache attributed to TMD (n = 17) did not improve in disability over time. For the secondary outcome measures, the results were equivocal. In conclusion, TMD-pain patients with migraine, improvement in TMD-related disability was comparable to headache-related disability for TMD-pain patients with TTH or with headache attributed to TMD, no improvements in disability were found.

scholarly journals Working 9 to 5, not the way to make an academic living: observational analysis of manuscript and peer review submissions over time

BMJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. l6460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Barnett ◽  
Inger Mewburn ◽  
Sara Schroter
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Medical Journals ◽  
Out Of Hours ◽  
Peer Reviews ◽  
Average Probability ◽  
Figure Of Speech ◽  
Over Time

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether researchers are submitting manuscripts and peer reviews to BMJ journals out of hours and whether this has changed over time.DesignObservational study of research manuscripts and peer reviews submitted between 2012 and 2019 for which an author’s address could be geocoded.SettingOnline BMJ submission systems for two large general medical journals.Main outcome measuresManuscript and peer review submissions on weekends, on national holidays, and by hour of day (to determine early mornings and late nights). Logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of manuscript and peer review submissions on weekends or holidays.ResultsThe analyses included more than 49 000 manuscript submissions and 76 000 peer reviews. Little change over time was seen in the average probability of manuscript or peer review submissions occurring on weekends or holidays. The levels of out of hours work were high, with average probabilities of 0.14 to 0.18 for work on the weekends and 0.08 to 0.13 for work on holidays compared with days in the same week. Clear and consistent differences were seen between countries. Chinese researchers most often worked at weekends and at midnight, whereas researchers in Scandinavian countries were among the most likely to submit during the week and the middle of the day.ConclusionThe differences between countries that are persistent over time show that a “culture of overwork” is a literal thing, not just a figure of speech.

scholarly journals Persepsi Mahasiswa Akuntansi Terhadap Independensi Akuntan Publik: Studi Empirik pada Mahasiswa Akuntansi di Bandung

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-387
Author(s):  
Trimanto Setyo Wardoyo ◽  
Tatik Budiningsih ◽  
Herman Kambono ◽  
Elvira Veronica
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
Proper Place ◽  
Target Sample Size ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
Target Sample ◽  
Public Accountants ◽  
The City ◽  
Public Accountant

Abstract This study aims to determine the perceptions of accounting students towards the independence of public accountants in the city of Bandung. Positive perceptions indicate that the accounting profession, especially public accountants, has a proper place in accounting students. Through a questionnaire distributed with a sample of accounting students in the city of Bandung, with a target sample size of 60 students. From 137 respondents gathered, it can be seen based on the results of the analysis that students majoring in accounting in Bandung perceive that public accountants in Indonesia are not independent. In addition, the results of this study are expected to be inference for accounting students in Indonesia. The results of this study also show that there are differences in the perceptions of students majoring in accounting in Bandung who have never and who have taken auditing courses on the independence of public accountants in Indonesia. Keywords: Perception, Independence, Accounting Profession, and Public Accountant

scholarly journals Use of masks in public places in Poland during SARS-Cov-2 epidemic: a covert observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ganczak ◽  
Oskar Pasek ◽  
Łukasz Duda – Duma ◽  
Dawid Świstara ◽  
Marcin Korzeń
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Closed Space ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Health Control ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Face masks have been employed in the COVID-19 pandemic plans as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced on May 29th, 2020, limiting use to indoor public places. Objective To assess use of masks or other protective devices in public spaces in Poland during the SARS-Cov-2 epidemic. Methods A non-participatory covert observational study was conducted on three dates, (10.05/18.05/25.05.2020) at public spaces in 13 regions with different risks. Ten consecutive individuals were observed by each of 82 medical students (n = 2460 observations), using a structured checklist. Results Among 2353 observed persons, the female/male ratios were 1.0, 1.1, and 1.0 on the three dates. Almost three quarters - 73.6% (n = 552/750) were using masks on date 1, 66.5% (544/818) on date 2; and 65.7% (516/785) on date 3. Cloth masks predominated on all dates (64.7–62.3%-62.6%), followed by medical (23.4–28.5%-26.9%). Being female (OR = 1.77–1.47-1.53 respectively) and location in a closed space (OR = 2.60–2.59-2.32) were each associated with higher usage. Participants in sports were about two times less likely to use masks (OR = 0.64–0.53-0.53) as compared to other activities. The proportion using masks correctly decreased gradually over time (364/552; 65.9%; 339/544; 62.3% and 304/516; 58.9%). More females wore masks correctly (date 1: 205/294; 69.7% vs 159/258; 61.6%, and date 3: 186/284; 65.5% vs 118/232; 50.9%; p = 0.045; p = 0.0008 respectively). Uncovered noses (47.3–52.7%) and masks around the neck (39.2–42.6%) were the most frequent incorrect practices. Conclusions Practices were not in line with official recommendations, especially among males, and deteriorated over time. Cloth masks were predominantly used in public spaces. Health promotion, through utilizing all available communication channels, would be helpful to increase compliance.

Making sense of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS): An audit of the referral journey and the use of routine outcome measures (ROMS)

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452199970
Author(s):  
Naomi Gibbons ◽  
Emma Harrison ◽  
Paul Stallard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Completion Rates ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
North East ◽  
Over Time

Background: There is increased emphasis on the national reporting of Routine Outcome Measures (ROMS) as a way of improving Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This data needs to be viewed in context so that reasons for outcome completion rates are understood and monitored over time. Method: We undertook an in-depth prospective audit of consecutive referrals accepted into the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) CAMHS service from November 2017 to January 2018 ( n = 1074) and April to September 2019 ( n = 1172). Results: Across both audits 90% of those offered an appointment were seen with three quarters completing baseline ROMS. One in three were not seen again with around 30% still being open to the service at the end of each audit. Of those closed to the service, paired ROMS were obtained for 46% to 60% of cases. There were few changes in referral problems or complexity factors over time. Conclusion: Understanding the referral journey and the reasons for attrition will help to put nationally collected data in context and can inform and monitor service transformation over time.

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