ArticleInternational journal of epidemiology2017
Maelstrom Research guidelines for rigorous retrospective data harmonization.
Article in International journal of epidemiology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 181 papers, 12 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
181 citing papers in PubMed, 12 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
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- Application of causal inference methods in individual-participant data meta-analyses in medicine: addressing data handling and reporting gaps with new proposed reporting guidelines.BMC medical research methodology · 2024Pooled it
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- Blood pressure and risk of venous thromboembolism: a cohort analysis of 5.5 million UK adults and Mendelian randomization studies.Cardiovascular research · 2023Pooled it
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- New horizons in evidence-based care for older people: individual participant data meta-analysis.Age and ageing · 2022Pooled it
- Coordinated data analysis: Knowledge accumulation in lifespan developmental psychology.Psychology and aging · 2022Pooled it
- Identification and inclusion of gender factors in retrospective cohort studies: the GOING-FWD framework.BMJ global health · 2021Pooled it
- Quantitative amyloid PET in Alzheimer's disease: the AMYPAD prognostic and natural history study.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2020Trial
- To Collapse or not to Collapse Multiple Measures of the Same Psychological Construct: A Demonstration Across 14 Independent Studies of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children.Research on child and adolescent psychopathology · 2026Article
- Harmonising Depression and Anxiety Measures Across International Cohorts: A Framework Validated Using Measurement Invariance.International journal of methods in psychiatric research · 2026Article
- Statistical methods for retrospective harmonization of longitudinal epidemiological data: a scoping review.European journal of epidemiology · 2026Article
- Age trends of internalizing and externalizing problems in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: a multicenter study.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2026Article
- Prospective multidimensional predictors of poor sleep quality in older adults: A cross-national study.Applied psychology. Health and well-being · 2026Article
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121 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Background: It is widely accepted and acknowledged that data harmonization is crucial: in its absence, the co-analysis of major tranches of high quality extant data is liable to inefficiency or error. However, despite its widespread practice, no formalized/systematic guidelines exist to ensure high quality retrospective data harmonization. Methods: To better understand real-world harmonization practices and facilitate development of formal guidelines, three interrelated initiatives were undertaken between 2006 and 2015. They included a phone survey with 34 major international research initiatives, a series of workshops with experts, and case studies applying the proposed guidelines. Results: A wide range of projects use retrospective harmonization to support their research activities but even when appropriate approaches are used, the terminologies, procedures, technologies and methods adopted vary markedly. The generic guidelines outlined in this article delineate the essentials required and describe an interdependent step-by-step approach to harmonization: 0) define the research question, objectives and protocol; 1) assemble pre-existing knowledge and select studies; 2) define targeted variables and evaluate harmonization potential; 3) process data; 4) estimate quality of the harmonized dataset(s) generated; and 5) disseminate and preserve final harmonization products. Conclusions: This manuscript provides guidelines aiming to encourage rigorous and effective approaches to harmonization which are comprehensively and transparently documented and straightforward to interpret and implement. This can be seen as a key step towards implementing guiding principles analogous to those that are well recognised as being essential in securing the foundational underpinning of systematic reviews and the meta-analysis of clinical trials.
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