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Confidence Indicator

Throughout the calculator, specific fields support approximate values to assist users who may lack definitive data. Using these approximate values will lower the confidence score. For example, if a user completes only one section and uses the default data for the rest, the resulting confidence score will be low, especially when compared to a true real-world trial.

If a user skips a section because it isn't relevant to the trial (e.g., procedures), the confidence score will not be affected.

A traffic light scoring system shows the final confidence score; a higher score indicates increased confidence in the carbon emissions estimation. The three colour bands are:

  • 0 to 50 Red
  • 51 to 75 Amber
  • 76 to 100 Green

Data Rules​

The rules we apply to the data can be broken down into 4 groups:

Total Spending Input​

If you enter total spend data rather than trial or participant data, you will receive a lower confidence score.

Missing sections​

The calculator checks how many sections have been completed with data, the more sections completed the higher the score generated in the confidence index.

Default data​

Some sections have default field values or a button that creates an approximate value; if you use these values, you will be marked down.

Global vs Country Specific entries,​

Some sections (Participants, Site Staff, Trial Management) allow a single global entry or country-specific entries. Using country-specific entries always yields more accurate results, so you will be marked down for using a single global entry in these sections.

Approximate value fields​

The fields where approximate values are available are:

  • 2.3 - Interventional Product> Kit weight
  • 2.5 - Other Participant Or Site Devices/Equipment> Device Over Supply Amount
  • 2.7 - Participant Travel> Default travel modes
  • 2.7 - Participant Travel> Average round trip distance
  • 2.8 - Trial Sites> Staff hours associated with a patient visit
  • 2.8 - Trial Sites> Number of trips staff make to trial site for duration of trial per member of staff
  • 2.8 - Trial Sites> Default travel modes
  • 2.8 - Trial Sites> Average round trip distance
  • 2.9 - Trial Management> Total staff hours
  • 2.9 - Trial Management> Proportion of staff time spent working from home
  • 2.9 - Trial Management> Default travel data for staff commuting
  • 2.9 - Trial Management> Average round trip distance for staff commuting
  • 2.10.1 - Trial Management Meetings> Average number of attendees per meeting
  • 2.10.1 - Trial Management Meetings> Travel profile for meeting attendees
  • 2.10.2 - Monitor Visits> Average number of attendees per meeting
  • 2.10.2 - Monitor Visits> Travel profile for meeting attendees
  • 2.10.3 - Investigator Meetings> Average number of attendees per meeting
  • 2.10.3 - Investigator Meetings> Travel profile for meeting attendees
  • 2.10.4 - Ethics Meetings> Average number of attendees per meeting
  • 2.10.4 - Ethics Meetings> Travel profile for meeting attendees
  • 2.10.5 - Other Meetings> Average number of attendees per meeting
  • 2.10.5 - Other Meetings> Travel profile for meeting attendees
  • 2.12-Samples> Percentage of samples analysed (Local and Central)
  • 2.12-Samples> Percentage of samples stored (Local and Central)
  • 2.12-Samples> Average storage duration in years (Local and Central)
  • 2.12-Samples> Percentage of samples stored centrally that are frozen, chilled or ambient
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