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