ENHANCEMENT OF LEARNING ON SAMPLE SIZE CALCULATION WITH A SMARTPHONE APPLICATION: A CLUSTER-RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Biostatistics
• Health Research Methodology

Background:

• Sample size determination is often theoretical and challenging for students to grasp.
• Traditional lecture-based teaching may not be the most effective method for sample size calculation.
• Smartphone applications offer a potentially more engaging and accessible learning tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the understanding of sample size calculations between lecture-only and lecture plus smartphone application groups.
• To identify factors influencing post-test scores in sample size calculation training.
• To assess participants' attitudes towards using a smartphone application for learning sample size calculation.

Main Methods:

• A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted across health institutes in Thailand.
• 673 professional participants were randomized into a control group (lecture only) and an intervention group (lecture plus smartphone application).
• Data were collected from October 2014 to March 2015, comparing post-test scores and attitudes.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated significantly better learning of sample size calculation (2.7 points) than the control group (1.6 points).
• Participants actively involved in research projects achieved higher post-test scores (0.9 points higher).
• A majority of participants reported a positive attitude towards using the smartphone application for learning.

Conclusions:

• Integrating smartphone applications into teaching sample size calculation enhances learning outcomes.
• Active engagement in research is associated with better comprehension of sample size principles.
• Smartphone applications are a promising tool for improving statistical education in health research.