Sample sizes for self-controlled case series studies
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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan
Published on: June 29, 2018
Patrick Musonda1, C Paddy Farrington, Heather J Whitaker
1Department of Statistics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
Abstract:
We derive several formulae for the sample size required for a study designed using the self-controlled case series method without age effects. We investigate these formulae by simulation, and identify one based on the signed root likelihood ratio statistic which performs well. We extend this method to allow for age effects, which can have a big impact on the sample size needed. This more general sample size formula is also found to perform well in a broad range of situations.
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