| propdiff.acc {SampleSizeProportions} | R Documentation |
Bayesian sample size determination for the difference between two binomial proportions using the Average Coverage Criterion
Description
The function propdiff.acc returns the required sample sizes to reach a given coverage probability on average for a posterior credible interval of fixed length for the difference between two binomial proportions.
Usage
propdiff.acc(len, c1, d1, c2, d2, level = 0.95, equal = TRUE, m = 10000, mcs = 3)Arguments
len |
The fixed length of the posterior credible interval for the difference between the two unknown proportions | |||||||||
c1 |
First prior parameter of the Beta density for the binomial proportion for the first population | |||||||||
d1 |
Second prior parameter of the Beta density for the binomial proportion for the first population | |||||||||
c2 |
First prior parameter of the Beta density for the binomial proportion for the second population | |||||||||
d2 |
Second prior parameter of the Beta density for the binomial proportion for the second population | |||||||||
level |
The desired average coverage probability of the posterior credible interval (e.g., 0.95) | |||||||||
equal |
logical. Whether or not the final group sizes (n1, n2) are forced to be equal:
| |||||||||
m |
The number of points simulated from the preposterior distribution of the data. For each point, the probability coverage of the highest posterior density interval of fixed length len is estimated, in order to approximate the average coverage probability. Usually 10000 is sufficient, but one can increase this number at the expense of program running time. | |||||||||
mcs |
The Maximum number of Consecutive Steps allowed in the same direction in the march towards the optimal sample size, before the result for the next upper/lower bound is cross-checked. In our experience, mcs = 3 is a good choice. |
Details
Assume that a sample from each of two populations will be
collected in order to estimate the difference between two independent binomial proportions.
Assume that the proportions have prior information in the form of
Beta(c1, d1) and Beta(c2, d2) densities in each population, respectively.
The function propdiff.acc returns the required sample sizes to attain the
desired average coverage probability level for the posterior credible interval of fixed length len
for the difference between the two unknown proportions.
This function uses a fully Bayesian approach to sample size determination.
Therefore, the desired coverages and lengths are only realized if the prior distributions input to the function
are used for final inferences. Researchers preferring to use the data only for final inferences are encouraged
to use the Mixed Bayesian/Likelihood version of the function.
Value
The required sample sizes (n1, n2) for each group given the inputs to the function.
Note
The sample sizes are calculated via Monte Carlo simulations, and therefore may vary from one call to the next.
Author(s)
Lawrence Joseph lawrence.joseph@mcgill.ca, Patrick Belisle and Roxane du Berger
References
Joseph L, du Berger R, and Belisle P.
Bayesian and mixed Bayesian/likelihood criteria for sample size determination
Statistics in Medicine 1997;16(7):769-781.
See Also
propdiff.alc, propdiff.modwoc, propdiff.woc, propdiff.mblacc, propdiff.mblalc, propdiff.mblmodwoc, propdiff.mblwoc
Examples
propdiff.acc(len=0.05, c1=3, d1=11, c2=11, d2=54)