Progress in the Past Decade: An Examination of the Precision of Cluster Randomized Trials

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Division L Section 9 Poster Session

Abstract

This paper examines the statistical precision of cluster randomized trials (CRTs) funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Specifically, it compares the total number of clusters randomized and minimum detectable effect size (MDES) of two sets of studies, those funded in the early years of IES (2002-2004) and the recent years (2011-2013). Overall, studies in the recent years were designed with nearly twice as many total clusters. The average MDES in the early cohort was 0.48 and 0.23 in the recent cohort. The findings suggest an increase in the precision of CRTs funded by IES in the past decade, a critical step towards designing studies that have the potential to yield high-quality evidence about the effectiveness of educational interventions.

Authors

• Jessaca K. Spybrook, Western Michigan University

• Ran Shi, Western Michigan University

• Benjamin Kelcey, University of Cincinnati