mudiff.alc: Bayesian sample size determination for differences in normal...

In SampleSizeMeans: Sample Size Calculations for Normal Means

Bayesian sample size determination for differences in normal means using the Average Length Criterion

Description

The function mudiff.alc returns the required sample sizes to reach a desired posterior credible interval length on average for a fixed coverage probability for the difference between two normal means.

Usage

mudiff.alc(len, alpha1, beta1, alpha2, beta2, n01, n02, level = 0.95,
                  equal = TRUE, m = 10000, mcs = 3)

Arguments

len	The desired average length of the posterior credible interval for the difference between the two unknown means
alpha1	First prior parameter of the Gamma density for the precision (reciprocal of the variance) for the first population
beta1	Second prior parameter of the Gamma density for the precision (reciprocal of the variance) for the first population
alpha2	First prior parameter of the Gamma density for the precision (reciprocal of the variance) for the second population
beta2	Second prior parameter of the Gamma density for the precision (reciprocal of the variance) for the second population
n01	Prior sample size equivalent for the mean for the first population
n02	Prior sample size equivalent for the mean for the second population
level	The desired fixed coverage probability of the posterior credible interval (e.g., 0.95)
equal	logical. Whether or not the final group sizes (n1, n2) are forced to be equal: when equal = TRUE, final sample sizes n1 = n2; when equal = FALSE, final sample sizes (n1, n2) minimize the expected posterior variance given a total of n1+n2 observations
m	The number of points simulated from the preposterior distribution of the data. For each point, the length of the highest posterior density interval of fixed coverage probability level is estimated, in order to approximate the average length. Usually 10000 is sufficient, but one can increase this number at the expense of program running time.
mcs	The Maximum number of Consecutive Steps allowed in the same direction in the march towards the optimal sample size, before the result for the next upper/lower bound is cross-checked. In our experience, mcs = 3 is a good choice.

Details

Assume that a sample from each of two populations will be collected in order to estimate the difference between two independent normal means. Assume that the precision within each of the two the populations are unknown, but have prior information in the form of Gamma(alpha1, beta1) and Gamma(alpha2, beta2) densities, respectively. Assume that the means are unknown, but have prior information equivalent to (n01, n02) previous observations, respectively. The function mudiff.alc returns the required sample sizes to attain the desired average length len for the posterior credible interval of fixed coverage probability level for the difference between the two unknown means.

This function uses a fully Bayesian approach to sample size determination. Therefore, the desired coverages and lengths are only realized if the prior distributions input to the function are used for final inferences. Researchers preferring to use the data only for final inferences are encouraged to use the Mixed Bayesian/Likelihood version of the function.

Value

The required sample sizes (n1, n2) for each group given the inputs to the function.

Note

The sample sizes are calculated via Monte Carlo simulations, and therefore may vary from one call to the next.

Author(s)

Lawrence Joseph [e-mail] and Patrick Bélisle

References

Joseph L, Bélisle P.
Bayesian sample size determination for Normal means and differences between Normal means
The Statistician 1997;46(2):209-226.

See Also

mudiff.acc, mudiff.modwoc, mudiff.acc.equalvar, mudiff.alc.equalvar, mudiff.modwoc.equalvar, mudiff.varknown, mudiff.mblacc, mudiff.mblalc, mudiff.mblmodwoc, mudiff.mblacc.equalvar, mudiff.mblalc.equalvar, mudiff.mblmodwoc.equalvar, mudiff.mbl.varknown, mudiff.freq, mu.acc, mu.alc, mu.modwoc, mu.varknown, mu.mblacc, mu.mblalc, mu.mblmodwoc, mu.mbl.varknown, mu.freq

Examples

mudiff.alc(len=0.2, alpha1=2, beta1=2, alpha2=3, beta2=3, n01=10, n02=25)

SampleSizeMeans documentation built on Aug. 23, 2023, 1:09 a.m.