Barnard Convex Sets

In calculating significance levels for statistical non inferiority tests, the critical regions that satisfy the Barnard convexity condition have a central role. According to a theorem proved by Röhmel and Mansmann (1999 Röhmel , J. , Mansmann , U. ( 1999 ). Unconditional nonasymptotic one sided tests for independent binomial proportions when the interest lies in showing noninferiority and or superiority . Biometr. J. 2 : 149 – 170 .Crossref], Web of Science ®] , Google Scholar]), when the critical regions satisfy this condition, the significance level for non inferiority tests can be calculated much more efficiently. In this study, the sets that fulfil the Barnard convexity condition are called Barnard convex sets, and because of their relevance, we studied their properties independently of the context from which the sets originated. Among several results, we found that Barnard convex sets are a convex geometry and that each Barnard convex set has a unique basis. Also, we provide an algorithm for calculating the Barnard convex hull of any set. Finally, we present some applications of the concept of the Barnard convex hull of a set for non inferiority tests.