sequential trial

A statistical method that allows for ending an experiment as soon as a response with the desired precision is obtained, with each outcome being examined as soon as it occurs and being added to all the previous outcomes.

Note: The main advantage of a sequential trial is as follows: 1) it is shorter than a fixed-length trial when there is a large difference in the effectiveness of the interventions being compared; or 2) a trial can be terminated quickly when there is a health risk. Since, with this approach, the assignment of the treatments generally must be known before the study, special methods for the analysis and dissemination of interim results are required.

Related concept: meta-analysis