A note on the empirical Bayes heterogeneity variance estimator in meta-analysis |
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Authors: | Kurex Sidik Jeffrey N. Jonkman |
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Affiliation: | 1. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, New Jersey;2. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa |
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Abstract: | This paper focuses on the empirical Bayes (EB) or Mandel-Paule estimator of the heterogeneity variance in meta-analysis, which was discussed by Morris and proposed in earlier publications by Mandel and Paule in an inter-laboratory context. The relationship of the EB estimator to other heterogeneity variance estimators typically used in meta-analysis is explored, and approximate variance estimators for the EB estimate of the heterogeneity variance are proposed based on the M-estimation method. Statistical inference for the overall treatment effect using the EB estimator and the proposed standard errors is discussed using two example data sets from meta-analysis applications. |
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Keywords: | between-study variance M-estimation Mandel-Paule estimate meta-analysis sandwich variance estimator |
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