Screening experiments and the use of fractional factorial designs in behavioral intervention research

Am J Public Health. 2008 Aug;98(8):1354-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.127563. Epub 2008 Jun 12.

Abstract

Health behavior intervention studies have focused primarily on comparing new programs and existing programs via randomized controlled trials. However, numbers of possible components (factors) are increasing dramatically as a result of developments in science and technology (e.g., Web-based surveys). These changes dictate the need for alternative methods that can screen and quickly identify a large set of potentially important treatment components. We have developed and implemented a multiphase experimentation strategy for accomplishing this goal. We describe the screening phase of this strategy and the use of fractional factorial designs (FFDs) in studying several components economically. We then use 2 ongoing behavioral intervention projects to illustrate the usefulness of FFDs. FFDs should be supplemented with follow-up experiments in the refining phase so any critical assumptions about interactions can be verified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Biometry / methods
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen