February, 2003
© 2000, 2001, 2003 Scott S. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.
Bottom line
Pilot studies increase the predictive value of a positive
study while using the same number of subjects. A greater number of
effective treatments are identified due in part to the
greater
number of treatments screened.
(Different choices for statistical power in screening and
confirmatory trials can be used to optimize strategy for a particular
setting)