An overdispersion model in meta-analysis. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kulinskaya, Elena; Olkin, Ingram
• Is Part Of: Statistical modelling. Volume 14:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Intra-class correlation -- between-study variability -- random effects model -- heterogeneity; Linear models (Statistics) -- Periodicals; Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Modèles linéaires (Statistique) -- Périodiques; Modèles mathématiques -- Périodiques; Modèle statistique; Modèle linéaire; Modélisation statistique; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 519.5011
• DOI: 10.1177/1471082X13494616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-082X

Abstract

We propose a general approach based on the concept of overdispersion for specification of a random effects model (REM) in meta-analysis. This approach is similar to that used in generalized linear models, and includes the traditional REM as a particular case. A key feature of the model is the interpretation of the multiplicative factor as an intra-class correlation parameter. We provide several motivating examples, discuss statistical inference, and compare the new and standard methods on two examples of published meta-analyses. Estimation of the overdispersion parameter in the proposed model is compared in simulations to that of the traditional between-studies variance in the case of normal means. For small values of heterogeneity, the coverage of the confidence intervals for the overdispersion parameter is more stable.