Methods to estimate the between-study variance and its uncertainty in meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Meta-analyses are typically used to estimate the overall/mean of an outcome of interest. However, inference about between-study variability, which is typically modelled using a between-study variance parameter, is usually an additional aim. The DerSimonian and Laird method, currently widely used by default to estimate the between-study variance, has been long challenged. Our aim is to identify known methods for estimation of the between-study variance and its corresponding uncertainty, and to summarise the simulation and empirical evidence that compares them. We identified 16 estimators for the between-study variance, seven methods to calculate confidence intervals, and several comparative studies. Simulation studies suggest that for both dichotomous and continuous data the estimator propo

SUBMITTER: Veroniki AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4950030 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature