Sample size calculations for clustered count data based on zero-inflated discrete Weibull regression models

In this study, we consider the sample size determination problem for clustered count data with many zeros. In general, zero-inflated Poisson and binomial models are commonly used for zero-inflated data; however, in real data the assumptions that should be satisfied when using each model might be violated. We calculate the required sample size based on a discrete Weibull regression model that can handle both underdispersed and overdispersed data types. We use the Monte Carlo simulation to compute the required sample size. With our proposed method, a unified model with a low failure risk can be used to cope with the dispersed data type and handle data with many zeros, which appear in groups or clusters sharing a common variation source. A simulation study shows that our proposed method provides accurate results, revealing that the sample size is affected by the distribution skewness, covariance structure of covariates, and amount of zeros. We apply our method to the pancreas disorder length of the stay data collected from Western Australia.