Educational platform trials simulator (EPTS): Software for planning and simulating cluster-randomised, multisite and simple randomised platform trials

Platform trials offer a robust framework for evaluating multiple interventions simultaneously against a common control group within a single master protocol. Acknowledging their increased importance in the medical and social sciences, including education, a specialised software ‘Educational Platform Trials Simulator (EPTS) is designed. The software's user-friendly interface allows users to plan and execute simulations for randomised controlled trial designs, analyse data (Bayesian/ Frequentist methods, multilevel models, futility and superiority analyses), and visualise results without requiring extensive programming expertise. This practical, economical and academic tool facilitates efficient and effective research involving planning and simulating platform trials in education and other disciplines.