Preface |
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xv | |
Acknowledgements |
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xvii | |
Part A: Meta-Analysis Methodology: The Basics |
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1 | (160) |
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Introduction - Meta-analysis: Its Development and Uses |
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3 | (14) |
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Evidence-based health care |
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3 | (1) |
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Evidence-based everything! |
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4 | (1) |
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Pulling together the evidence - systematic reviews |
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5 | (3) |
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8 | (4) |
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12 | (1) |
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13 | (4) |
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13 | (4) |
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Defining Outcome Measures used for Combining via Meta-analysis |
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17 | (20) |
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17 | (1) |
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Non-comparative binary outcomes |
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18 | (2) |
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18 | (1) |
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19 | (1) |
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Comparative binary outcomes |
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20 | (8) |
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20 | (3) |
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Relative risk (or rate ratio/relative rate) |
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23 | (2) |
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Risk differences between proportions (or the absolute risk reduction) |
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25 | (2) |
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The number needed to treat |
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27 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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Other scales of measurement used in summarizing binary data |
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28 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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28 | (5) |
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Outcomes defined on their original metric (mean difference) |
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29 | (2) |
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Outcomes defined using standardized mean differences |
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31 | (2) |
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33 | (1) |
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33 | (4) |
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34 | (3) |
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Assessing Between Study Heterogeneity |
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37 | (20) |
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37 | (1) |
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Hypothesis tests for presence of heterogeneity |
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38 | (3) |
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38 | (1) |
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Extensions/alternative tests |
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39 | (1) |
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Example: Testing for heterogeneity in the cholesterol lowering trial dataset |
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40 | (1) |
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Graphical informal tests/explorations of heterogeneity |
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41 | (7) |
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Plot of normalized (z) scores |
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41 | (1) |
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42 | (4) |
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Radial plot (Galbraith diagram) |
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46 | (1) |
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47 | (1) |
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Possible causes of heterogeneity |
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48 | (2) |
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Specific factors that may cause heterogeneity in RCTs |
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49 | (1) |
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Methods for investigating and dealing with sources of heterogeneity |
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50 | (3) |
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Change scale of outcome variable |
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51 | (1) |
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Include covariates in a regression model (meta-regression) |
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51 | (1) |
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52 | (1) |
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Analyse groups of studies separately |
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52 | (1) |
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Use of random effects models |
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52 | (1) |
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Use of mixed-effect models |
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53 | (1) |
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The validity of pooling studies with heterogeneous outcomes |
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53 | (1) |
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53 | (4) |
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54 | (3) |
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Fixed Effects Methods for Combining Study Estimates |
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57 | (16) |
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57 | (1) |
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General fixed effect model - the inverse variance-weighted method |
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58 | (5) |
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Example: Combining odds ratios using the inverse variance-weighted method |
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59 | (3) |
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Example: Combining standardized mean differences using a continuous outcome scale |
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62 | (1) |
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Specific methods for combining odds ratios |
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63 | (7) |
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Mantel-Haenszel method for combining odds ratios |
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64 | (2) |
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Peto's method for combining odds ratios |
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66 | (2) |
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Combining odds ratios via maximum-likelihood techniques |
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68 | (1) |
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Exact methods of interval estimation |
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69 | (1) |
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Discussion of the relative merits of each method |
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69 | (1) |
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70 | (3) |
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71 | (2) |
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Random Effects Models for Combining Study Estimates |
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73 | (14) |
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73 | (1) |
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Algebraic derivation for random effects models by the weighted method |
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74 | (1) |
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Maximum likelihood and restricted maximum likelihood estimate solutions |
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75 | (1) |
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Comparison of estimation methods |
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76 | (1) |
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Example: Combining the cholesterol lowering trials using a random effects model |
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76 | (4) |
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Extensions to the random effects model |
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80 | (3) |
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Including uncertainty induced by estimating the between study variance |
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80 | (1) |
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Exact approach to random effects meta-analysis of binary data |
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81 | (1) |
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Miscellaneous extensions to the random effects model |
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82 | (1) |
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Comparison of random with fixed effect models |
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83 | (1) |
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84 | (3) |
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84 | (3) |
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Exploring Between Study Heterogeneity |
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87 | (22) |
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87 | (1) |
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88 | (5) |
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Example: Stratification by study characteristics |
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89 | (1) |
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Example: Stratification by patient characteristics |
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89 | (4) |
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Regression models for meta-analysis |
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93 | (11) |
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Meta-regression models (fixed-effects regression) |
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93 | (2) |
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Meta-regression example: a meta-analysis of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) |
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95 | (2) |
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Mixed effect models (random-effects regression) |
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97 | (2) |
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Mixed model example: A re-analysis of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) trials |
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99 | (1) |
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Mixed modelling extensions |
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99 | (5) |
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104 | (5) |
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105 | (4) |
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109 | (24) |
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109 | (1) |
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Evidence of publication and related bias |
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110 | (2) |
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110 | (1) |
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Published versus registered trials in a meta-analysis |
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110 | (1) |
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Follow-up of cohorts of registered studies |
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111 | (1) |
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111 | (1) |
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Evidence of language bias |
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111 | (1) |
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The seriousness and consequences of publication bias for meta-analysis |
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112 | (1) |
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Predictors of publication bias (factors effecting the probability a study will get published) |
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112 | (1) |
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Identifying publication bias in a meta-analysis |
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112 | (7) |
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113 | (3) |
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116 | (1) |
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117 | (2) |
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Other methods to detect publication bias |
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119 | (1) |
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Practical advice on methods for detecting publication bias |
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119 | (1) |
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Taking into account publication bias or adjusting the results of a meta-analysis in the presence of publication bias |
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119 | (7) |
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Analysing only the largest studies |
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120 | (1) |
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Rosenthal's `file drawer' method |
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120 | (2) |
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Models which estimate the number of unpublished studies, but do not adjust |
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122 | (1) |
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Selection models using weighted distribution theory |
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123 | (1) |
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The `Trim and Fill' method |
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123 | (2) |
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The sensitivity approach of Copas |
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125 | (1) |
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Broader perspective solutions to publication bias |
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126 | (1) |
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Prospective registration of trials |
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126 | (1) |
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Changes in publication process and journals |
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126 | (1) |
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Including unpublished information |
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127 | (1) |
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127 | (6) |
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128 | (5) |
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133 | (14) |
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133 | (1) |
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Methodological factors that may affect the quality of studies |
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134 | (3) |
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135 | (1) |
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136 | (1) |
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Incorporating study quality into a meta-analysis |
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137 | (6) |
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137 | (1) |
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138 | (1) |
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138 | (2) |
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140 | (2) |
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142 | (1) |
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143 | (1) |
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143 | (1) |
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144 | (3) |
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144 | (3) |
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147 | (6) |
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147 | (1) |
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Sensitivity of results to inclusion criteria |
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147 | (3) |
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Sensitivity of results to meta-analytic methods |
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150 | (1) |
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Assessing the impact of choice of study weighting |
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150 | (1) |
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151 | (2) |
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151 | (2) |
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Reporting the Results of a Meta-analysis |
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153 | (8) |
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153 | (1) |
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Overview and structure of a report |
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154 | (1) |
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Graphical displays used for reporting the findings of a meta-analysis |
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155 | (3) |
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155 | (2) |
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157 | (1) |
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157 | (1) |
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Displaying the distribution of effect size estimates |
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158 | (1) |
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Graphs investigating length of follow-up |
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158 | (1) |
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158 | (3) |
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158 | (3) |
Part B: Advanced and Specialized Meta-analysis Topics |
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161 | (140) |
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Bayesian Methods in Meta-analysis |
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163 | (28) |
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163 | (1) |
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Bayesian methods in health research |
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163 | (6) |
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163 | (3) |
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General advantages/disadvantages of Bayesian methods |
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166 | (1) |
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Example: Bayesian analysis of a single trial using a normal conjugate model |
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167 | (2) |
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Bayesian meta-analysis of normally distributed data |
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169 | (2) |
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Example: Combining trials with continuous outcome measures using Bayesian methods |
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171 | (1) |
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Bayesian meta-analysis of binary data |
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171 | (4) |
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Example: Combining binary outcome measures using Bayesian methods |
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173 | (2) |
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Empirical Bayes methods in meta-analysis |
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175 | (1) |
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Advantages/disadvantages of Bayesian methods in meta-analysis |
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176 | (3) |
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176 | (2) |
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178 | (1) |
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Extensions and specific areas of application |
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179 | (4) |
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Incorporating study quality |
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179 | (1) |
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180 | (1) |
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180 | (1) |
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181 | (1) |
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181 | (1) |
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182 | (1) |
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183 | (1) |
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183 | (8) |
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183 | (8) |
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Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data |
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191 | (8) |
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191 | (2) |
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193 | (1) |
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193 | (1) |
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193 | (1) |
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Issues involved in carrying out IPD meta-analysis |
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193 | (1) |
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Comparing meta-analysis using IPD or summary data? |
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194 | (1) |
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Combining individual patient and summary data |
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195 | (1) |
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196 | (3) |
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196 | (3) |
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199 | (6) |
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199 | (1) |
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200 | (1) |
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Categories of missing data at the study level |
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200 | (1) |
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Analytic methods for dealing with missing data |
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201 | (2) |
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General missing data methods which can be applied in the meta-analysis context |
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201 | (1) |
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Missing data methods specific to meta-analysis |
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202 | (1) |
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Example: Dealing with missing standard deviations of estimates in a meta-analysis |
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202 | (1) |
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Bayesian methods for missing data |
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203 | (1) |
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203 | (2) |
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204 | (1) |
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Meta-analysis of Different Types of Data |
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205 | (24) |
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205 | (1) |
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205 | (1) |
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Issues concerning scales of measurement when combining data |
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206 | (3) |
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Transforming scales, maintaining same data type |
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207 | (1) |
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Binary outcome data reported on different scales |
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207 | (1) |
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Combining studies whose outcomes are reported using different data types |
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208 | (1) |
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Combining summaries of binary outcomes with those of continuous outcomes |
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208 | (1) |
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Non-parametric method of combining different data type effect measures |
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208 | (1) |
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Meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy |
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209 | (6) |
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Combining binary test results |
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209 | (6) |
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Combining ordered categorical test results |
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215 | (1) |
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Combining continuous test results |
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215 | (1) |
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Meta-analysis using surrogate markers |
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215 | (1) |
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Combining a number of cross-over trials using the patient preference outcome |
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216 | (1) |
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217 | (1) |
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Combining p-values/significance levels |
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218 | (5) |
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219 | (1) |
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220 | (1) |
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220 | (1) |
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220 | (1) |
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Other methods of combining significance levels |
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220 | (1) |
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221 | (1) |
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Example of combining p-values |
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221 | (2) |
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Novel applications of meta-analysis using non-standard methods or data |
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223 | (1) |
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223 | (6) |
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223 | (6) |
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Meta-analysis of Multiple and Correlated Outcome Measures |
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229 | (10) |
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229 | (1) |
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Combining multiple p-values |
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230 | (1) |
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Method for reducing multiple outcomes to a single measure for each study |
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231 | (1) |
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Development of a multivariate model |
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231 | (5) |
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Model of Raudenbush et al. |
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231 | (1) |
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Model of Gleser and Olkin |
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232 | (1) |
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Multiple outcome model for clinical trials |
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232 | (1) |
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Random effect multiple outcome regression model |
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232 | (1) |
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DuMouchel's extended model for multiple outcomes |
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233 | (1) |
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Illustration of the use of multiple outcome models |
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233 | (3) |
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236 | (3) |
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236 | (3) |
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Meta-analysis of Epidemiological and Other Observational Studies |
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239 | (20) |
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239 | (1) |
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Extraction and derivation of study estimates |
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240 | (6) |
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Scales of measurement used to report and combine observational studies |
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243 | (1) |
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Data manipulation for data extraction |
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243 | (1) |
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Methods for transforming and adjusting reported results |
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244 | (2) |
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246 | (2) |
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Heterogeneity of observational studies |
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246 | (1) |
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247 | (1) |
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Weighting of observational studies |
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247 | (1) |
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Methods for combining estimates of observational studies |
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247 | (1) |
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Dealing with heterogeneity and combining the OC and breast cancer studies |
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248 | (1) |
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Reporting the results of meta-analysis of observational studies |
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248 | (1) |
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Use of sensitivity and influence analysis |
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248 | (1) |
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Study quality considerations for observational studies |
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249 | (1) |
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Other issues concerning meta-analysis of observational studies |
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250 | (4) |
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Analysing individual patient data from observational studies |
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250 | (1) |
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Combining dose-reponse data |
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251 | (2) |
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Meta-analysis of single case research |
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253 | (1) |
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Unresolved issues concerning the meta-analysis of observational studies |
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254 | (1) |
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255 | (4) |
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255 | (4) |
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Generalized Synthesis of Evidence-Combining Different Sources of Evidence |
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259 | (18) |
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259 | (1) |
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Incorporating Single-arm studies: models for incorporating historical controls |
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259 | (3) |
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260 | (2) |
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Combining matched and unmatched data |
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262 | (1) |
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Approaches for combining studies containing multiple and/or different treatment arms |
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263 | (2) |
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Approach of Gleser and Olkin |
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264 | (1) |
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264 | (1) |
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264 | (1) |
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264 | (1) |
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The confidence profile method |
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265 | (1) |
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266 | (7) |
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267 | (1) |
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Bayesian hierarchical models |
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267 | (4) |
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Grouped random effects models of Larose and Dey |
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271 | (1) |
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Synthesizing studies with disparate designs to assess the exposure effects on the incidence of a rare adverse event |
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271 | (1) |
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Combining the results of cancer studies in humans and other species |
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272 | (1) |
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Combining biochemical and epidemiological evidence |
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272 | (1) |
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Combining information from disparate toxicological studies using stratified ordinal regression |
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272 | (1) |
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273 | (4) |
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273 | (4) |
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Meta-analysis of Survival Data |
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277 | (10) |
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277 | (1) |
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Inferring/estimating and combining (log) hazard ratios |
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278 | (1) |
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Calculation of the `log-rank' odds ratio |
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278 | (1) |
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Calculation of pooled survival rates |
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279 | (1) |
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Method of Hunink and Wong |
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279 | (1) |
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Iterative generalized least squares for meta-analysis of survival data at multiple times |
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280 | (2) |
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281 | (1) |
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Identifying prognostic factors using a log (relative risk) measure |
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282 | (1) |
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Combining quality of life adjusted survival data |
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282 | (1) |
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Meta-analysis of survival data using individual patient data |
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283 | (1) |
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Pooling independent samples of survival data to form an estimator of the common survival function |
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283 | (1) |
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Is obtaining and using survival data necessary? |
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283 | (1) |
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284 | (3) |
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284 | (3) |
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287 | (8) |
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287 | (1) |
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Example: Ordering by date of publication |
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288 | (2) |
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Using study characteristics other than date of publication |
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290 | (1) |
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Example: Ordering the cholesterol trials by baseline risk in the control group |
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290 | (1) |
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291 | (1) |
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Issues regarding uses of cumulative meta-analysis |
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291 | (1) |
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292 | (3) |
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292 | (3) |
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Miscellaneous and Developing Areas of Application in Meta-analysis |
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295 | (6) |
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295 | (1) |
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Alternatives to conventional meta-analysis |
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295 | (2) |
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Estimating and extrapolating a response surface |
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295 | (1) |
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296 | (1) |
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296 | (1) |
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297 | (4) |
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Prospective meta-analysis |
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297 | (1) |
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Economic evaluation through meta-analysis |
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298 | (1) |
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Combining meta-analysis and decision analysis |
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299 | (1) |
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Net benefit model synthesizing disparate sources of information |
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299 | (1) |
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299 | (2) |
Appendix I: Software Used for the Examples in this Book |
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301 | (8) |
Subject index |
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309 | |