Table 2

General biostatistical quality of study proposals

Item 6: Do you in general have the impression that the biostatistical quality of ethical proposals for studies regulated by AMG/MPG differs compared with proposals in a non-regulated setting?n=47 (%)
Yes, ethical proposals for studies regulated by AMG/MPG have a higher biostatistical quality on average45 (91.8)
Yes, ethical proposals for studies in a non-regulated setting have a higher biostatistical quality on average0 (0.0)
No, the biostatistical quality does not differ on average2 (4.1)
Item 11: How do you consider the need for additional training in the following biostatistical areas for investigators submitting protocols to medical ethics committees?n=45 (%)
Study design
 Low7 (15.6)
 Middle23 (51.1)
 High15 (33.3)
Wording of the study aims, hypotheses and/or endpoints
 Low1 (2.2)
 Middle22 (48.9)
 High22 (48.9)
Sample size calculation
 Low2 (4.4)
 Middle15 (33.3)
 High27 (60.00)
 Not assessable1 (2.2)
Differentiation between confirmatory and exploratory analyses
 Low4 (8.9)
 Middle17 (37.8)
 High24 (53.3)
Handling of missing values
 Low2 (4.4)
 Middle9 (20.00)
 High34 (75.6)
Description of the statistical analysis
 Low1 (2.3)
 Middle23 (52.3)
 High20 (45.5)
Multiple comparisons problems
 Low3 (6.7)
 Middle16 (35.6)
 High26 (57.8)
Adjustment for covariables
 Low3 (6.7)
 Middle18 (40.0)
 High24 (53.3)
Randomisation/stratification
 Low10 (22.2)
 Middle27 (60.00)
 High6 (13.3)
 Not assessable2 (4.4)
Additional aspects (added as free-text response by the participants)
 Data management
 Regulatory view
 Testing versus estimating
  • AMG/MPG, German Medicines Act/German Act on Medical Devices.