Methodology Advisory Service for Trials (MAST)
What is MAST?
The Methodology Advisory Service for Trials
(MAST) is a service offered by the eight Hubs for Trials
Methodology Research that aims to provide trials methodology advice
to trialists and statisticians who encounter non-standard
methodological problems.
Who can use MAST?
Currently, MAST is only being offered to
statisticians and trialists working within the registered Clinical
Trials Units and Research Design Services in the UK.
What are non-standard methodological problems?
MAST will advise on problems which have
already been considered by an appropriate methodologist (e.g. a
statistician) to be non-standard and not easily answered by
reference to well known published literature. You can approach MAST
at any stage of a trial. Examples of non-standard methodological
problems are:
- design of studies with ordered categorical
outcomes
- analysis of studies with missing outcome
data or with high crossover (>10%) between treatment arms
- the pros and cons and implementation of central statistical
monitoring and on site monitoring
- integrating qualitative research into trials
- maximising retention of patients in a particular trial
setting
- using adaptive trial designs
- use of cost-effectiveness as a primary or secondary endpoint
or economic analysis of factorial studies
How MAST works:
Simply fill out the MAST Query Form and email to enquiries@methodologyhubs.mrc.ac.uk.
The query will be directed to the appropriate Hub. Follow-up may
involve telephone calls and/or email exchanges with a MAST advisor.
The MAST advisor will endeavour to address your query as soon as
possible. You will also be asked to fill out a MAST
Feedback Form, describing your experience of using MAST.
Download MAST Query
Form
Download MAST Resolution
Form (MAST Advisors Only)
Download MAST Feedback
Form