Use baseline covariates rather than testing them

What is it about?

Once the data from a clinical trial are available for analysis it is common practice to carry out ‘tests of baseline homogeneity’ on prognostic covariates before proceeding to analyse the effects of treatment on outcome variables. It is argued that this practice is philosophically unsound, of no practical value and potentially misleading.

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Why is it important?

Shows that you should use covariates rather than finding excuses for ignoring them.