Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Meta-analyses are commonly performed based on random-effects models, while in certain cases one might also argue in favor of a common-effect model. One such case may be given by the example of two "study twins" that are performed according to a common (or at least very similar) protocol. Here we investigate the particular case of meta-analysis of a pair of studies, for example, summarizing the results of two confirmatory clinical trials in phase III of a clinical development program. Thereby, we focus on the question of to what extent homogeneity or heterogeneity may be discernible and include an empirical investigation of published ("twin") pairs of studies. A pair of estimates from two studies only provide very little evidence of homogeneity or heterogeneity of effects, and ad hoc decision criteria may often be misleading.
Source: Biometrical Journal
Authors: Christian Röver, Tim Friede
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,560
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Award: G1834399823
OpenAlex ID: W4402204313