Randomization in Clinical Trials : Theory and Practice

This book offers a unique overview that melds the concepts of conditional probability and stochastic processes into real-life applications.

The role of randomization techniques in clinical trials has become increasingly important.

This comprehensive guide combines both the applied aspects of randomization in clinical trials with a probabilistic treatment of properties of randomization.

Taking an unabashedly non-Bayesian and nonparametric approach to inference, the book focuses on the linear rank test under a randomization model, with added discussion on likelihood-based inference as it relates to sufficiency and ancillarity.

Developments in stochastic processes and applied probability are also given where appropriate.

Intuition is stressed over mathematics, but not without a clear development of the latter in the context of the former.

Providing a consolidated review of the field, the book includes relevant and practical discussions of: the benefits of randomization in terms of reduction of bias; randomization as a basis for inference; covariate-adaptive and response-adaptive randomization; and, current philosophies, controversies, and new developments. With ample problem sets, theoretical exercises, and short computer simulations using SAS, "Randomization in Clinical Trials: Theory and Practice" is equally useful as a standard textbook in biostatistics graduate programs as well as a reliable reference for biostatisticians in practice.