Description
Return signed distances from protocol-window boundaries.
Clinical research distinguishes supplied protocol metadata, participant/event records, allocation bookkeeping and an analysis target. A local count, permission flag or denominator choice can help reconcile records without establishing valid consent, randomization, regulatory compliance or a reliable treatment-effect estimate.
Return signed distances from protocol-window boundaries.
When to use this tool
Use Protocol Window Boundary Distance when checking the stated clinical-research record, allocation, timing, analysis or evidence-basis convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter observedAt, lower, upper, inclusiveUpper. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read lowerDistance, upperDistance, withinWindow. Inspect withinWindow before interpreting the associated values.
Return signed distances from protocol-window boundaries. Require upper >= lower; lowerDistance = observedAt-lower, upperDistance = upper-observedAt; withinWindow includes lower and uses inclusiveUpper for the upper edge.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| observedAt | Observed At | Required. Finite number. |
| lower | Lower | Required. Finite number. |
| upper | Upper | Required. Finite number. |
| inclusiveUpper | Inclusive Upper | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| lowerDistance | Lower Distance | Required. Finite number. |
| upperDistance | Upper Distance | Required. Finite number. |
| withinWindow | Within Window | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"observedAt": 15,
"lower": 10,
"upper": 20,
"inclusiveUpper": true
},
"output": {
"lowerDistance": 5,
"upperDistance": 5,
"withinWindow": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- A negative distance means outside that edge; no actual protocol or permissible visit timing is established.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the complete approved protocol, authenticated source records and qualified clinical/statistical oversight for actual trial design, conduct and interpretation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Protocol Window Center Offset
Return a protocol window's center, half-width and observation offset.
- Research Visit Window Edge Closure
Check a visit against an explicitly bounded research window.