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Approximate confidence intervals for moment-based estimators of the between-study variance in random effects meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Moment-based estimators of the between-study variance are very popular when performing random effects meta-analyses. This type of estimation has many advantages including computational and conceptual simplicity. Furthermore, by using these estimators in large samples, valid meta-analyses can be performed without the assumption that the treatment effects follow a normal distribution. Recently proposed moment-based confidence intervals for the between-study variance are exact under the random effects model but are quite elaborate. Here, we present a much simpler method for calculating approximate confidence intervals of this type. This method uses variance-stabilising transformations as its basis and can be used for a very wide variety of moment-based estimators in both the random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression models.

SUBMITTER: Jackson D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4839498 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Approximate confidence intervals for moment-based estimators of the between-study variance in random effects meta-analysis.

Jackson Dan D Bowden Jack J Baker Rose R

Research synthesis methods 20150819 4

Moment-based estimators of the between-study variance are very popular when performing random effects meta-analyses. This type of estimation has many advantages including computational and conceptual simplicity. Furthermore, by using these estimators in large samples, valid meta-analyses can be performed without the assumption that the treatment effects follow a normal distribution. Recently proposed moment-based confidence intervals for the between-study variance are exact under the random effe ...[more]

PMID: 26287958

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