Ignoring Clustering and Nesting Effects Are Invalid Analysis Choices in a Trial with Clustered Data in Trials Testing Causal Effects. Re: "Impact of a Montessori-Based Nutrition Program on Children's Knowledge and Eating Behaviors"

Authors

Yasaman Jamshidi-Naeini
Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
Colby J Vorland
Abu Bakkar Siddique
Deborah H Glueck
David B Allison

Language

English

Publication Date

10-1-2023

Journal

Journal of School Health

DOI

10.1111/josh.13328

PMID

36912160

PMCID

PMC10497703

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-1-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Vitale and Coccia conducted a study to examine the effects of a nutrition education program among school children, and reported statistically significant between-group effects for nutrition knowledge and liking tomatoes. In the study blocks of classrooms were assigned to the study conditions. Thus, with children nested within classrooms, and classrooms nested within blocks, the study has a two-level design, and block is the independent sampling unit. The analysis of the study must account for the two levels of clustering, but it did not. This render the conclusions reported in the paper unsubstantiated. For correcting the scientific record, reanalysis of the data using a valid alternative approach and republication of the study are warranted.

Keywords

Humans, Child, Feeding Behavior, Nutritional Status, Cluster Analysis

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Jamshidi-Naeini, Yasaman; Golzarri-Arroyo, Lilian; Vorland, Colby J; et al., "Ignoring Clustering and Nesting Effects Are Invalid Analysis Choices in a Trial with Clustered Data in Trials Testing Causal Effects. Re: "Impact of a Montessori-Based Nutrition Program on Children's Knowledge and Eating Behaviors"" (2023). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 223.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/223