This is an archived version of the Handbook. For the current version, please go to training.cochrane.org/handbook/current or search for this chapter here.

9.3.1 Unit-of-analysis issues

An important principle in clinical trials is that the analysis must take into account the level at which randomization occurred. In most circumstances the number of observations in the analysis should match the number of ‘units’ that were randomized. In a simple parallel group design for a clinical trial, participants are individually randomized to one of two intervention groups, and a single measurement for each outcome from each participant is collected and analysed. However, there are numerous variations on this design. Authors should consider whether in each study:

There follows a more detailed list of situations in which unit-of-analysis issues commonly arise, together with directions to relevant discussions elsewhere in the Handbook.