Table 3 Summary of approaches used to estimate egg reduction rates among children infected with schistosomes following treatment with praziquatel
Approach | Method | Required parametric assumptions | Inference |
|---|---|---|---|
Model-free | Sample statistics | • None | • Population average estimates |
Model-based | Marginal models | • Variance to mean relationship • Correlation structure among repeated measures | • Population average estimates • Covariate effects |
|  | Conditional mixed models | • Conditional distribution of data • Distribution of random effects | • Individual estimates • Covariate effects |
|  | Bayesian conditional mixed models | • Conditional distribution of data • Distribution of random effects • Prior distribution of parameters | • Individual estimates • Covariate effects • Fully integrated parameter uncertainty |