An Online Short-Course in Sample-Size Determination - A Practical Guide to Improving Reproducibility through Proper Planning

样本量规划是目前生物医学研究的致命弱点。临床前研究的许多领域 例行公事地依赖不充分的样本，导致浪费、过多的假阳性和夸大的效果大小。 这些做法之所以持续存在，是因为研究人员经常回避合理的样本量规划，以求简单但无效 接近了。为了帮助解决这一关键问题，这个项目将制作一个自我指导的在线课程，将 帮助受训者将糟糕的样本量确定做法转变为合理的方法。该课程将a) 通过明确错误方法的严重负面影响，帮助重新引导研究人员远离错误的方法 结果，b)将消除阻碍合理的样本量规划的常见误解，c)将 提供具有即时反馈的练习，以建立独立样本量计划的自我效能。这个 材料将以适度的预算制作，将纳入著名团队的指导 方法论专家，并将以一种经过验证的行为改变方法为基础。这门课程将 对现有材料提供必要的补充，这些材料不能充分讲授样本量的确定。 深思熟虑的试点计划将使不同利益相关者提供广泛反馈，以确保强大的影响力 不仅取决于知识，而且还取决于态度和实际能力。传播将通过以下方式得到支持 与专业协会的合作伙伴关系以及参与嘉宾广泛的社交媒体触角 讲师。资助这项提议可以对临床前的严格性和可重复性产生强烈的积极影响 研究。

Sample-size planning is currently the Achilles heel of biomedical research. Many fields of preclinical research routinely rely on inadequate samples, leading to waste, excessive false-positives, and inflated effect sizes. These practices persist because researchers often eschew sound sample-size planning for easy but invalid approaches. To help address this critical issue, this project will produce a self-guided online course that will help trainees exchange poor sample-size determination practices for sound approaches. The course will a) help redirect researchers away from erroneous approaches by making clear their severe negative consequences, b) will dispel common misconceptions that discourage sound sample-size planning, and c) will provide exercises with instant feedback to build self-efficacy for independent sample-size planning. The materials will be produced for a modest budget, will incorporate guidance from a team of renowned methodological experts, and will be anchored in a proven behavioral-change approach. The course will provide a needed supplement to current materials, which do not adequately teach sample-size determination. A thoughtful piloting plan will enable extensive feedback from diverse stakeholders to ensure strong impact not only on knowledge but also on attitudes and actual competency. Dissemination will be supported through partnerships with professional societies and the extensive social media reach of the participating guest lecturers. Funding this proposal can have a strong positive impact on rigor and reproducibility in preclinical research.