QMinim: Online minimisationOverviewQMinim is the online version of MinimPy1 and is a minimisation service for (randomly) allocating subjects to different arms of a clinical trial. This is provided as an alternative for users that do not want to manage their studies minimisation via a local install of MinimPy1.The benefits of using minimisation Minimisation is a randomisation technique that aims to achieve excellent balance between treatment groups, for essential stratification variables, in randomised controlled trials. Minimisation is particularly useful in small trials where stratified randomisation is typically not sufficient. Minimisation, and Qminim specifically, can also be used in large trails as a randomisation management platform. For further reading on minimisation and its benefits, see this article by Altman and Bland and the relevant text within the CONSORT checklist. To understand more about minimisation and this implementation, please see the article linked below under Citation. ProvisionThis instance of QMinim, with the approval of creator Mahmoud Saghaei, is provided by the Biometrics team at the The Kids Research Institute Australia, and is freely available to all researchers.Provision of support is extremely limited and a fee may be applicable if researchers want to fast track detailed queries. We suggest researchers only use this platform if they are prepared and able to pay a small consulting fee, should support be required. System useTo use this service, you have to register for an account. Your request will be considered by the site admin and after approval your account will be activated. You can begin the registration process by clicking the “Sign Up” button to the right.Testing and ManualThe QMimum manual is available here.If you would like to see how the system works, you can login to a test area by entering the following credentials to the right. Username= demo Password= demo QueriesProvision of support is extremely limited. Please send any queries to biometrics@thekids.org.auCitation1 To cite, please use the following: Saghaei, M. and Saghaei, S. (2011) Implementation of an open-source customizable minimization program for allocation of patients to parallel groups in clinical trials. Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 4, 734-739. doi: 10.4236/jbise.2011.411090. Available at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=8518
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