A signed-rank test for clustered data

作者：Datta Somnath; Satten Glen A

来源：Biometrics, 2008, 64(2): 501-507.

DOI：10.1111/j.1541-0420.2007.00923.x

• dependent data
• paired comparison
• repeated measures
• sign test

We consider the problem of comparing two outcome measures when the pairs are clustered. Using the general principle of within-cluster resampling, we obtain a novel signed-rank test for clustered paired data. We show by a simple informative cluster size simulation model that only our test maintains the correct size under a null hypothesis of marginal symmetry compared to four other existing signed rank tests; further, our test has adequate power when cluster size is noninformative. In general, cluster size is informative if the distribution of pair-wise differences within a cluster depends on the cluster size. An application of our method to testing radiation toxicity trend is presented.

• 出版日期2008-6