Data Harmonization in Aging Research: Not so Fast.

ABSTRACT:

Background/study context

Harmonizing measures in order to conduct pooled data analyses has become a scientific priority in aging research. Retrospective harmonization where different studies lack common measures of comparable constructs presents a major challenge. This study compared different approaches to harmonization with a crosswalk sample who completed multiple versions of the measures to be harmonized.

Methods

Through online recruitment, 1061 participants aged 30 to 98 answered two different depression scales, and 1065 participants answered multiple measures of subjective health. Rational and configural methods of harmonization were applied, using the crosswalk sample to determine their success; and empirical item response theory (IRT) methods were applied in order em

SUBMITTER: Gatz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4772674 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature