Estimation with external information

Background

In this chapter we discuss methods that estimate regression coefficients based on the combination of findings, in the sample under study with external information. We start with a simple “adaptation” method for univariate regression coefficients, which may be obtained from meta-analysis. This method was applied in a case study of operative mortality of abdominal aneurysm surgery. Next, we discuss some alternative approaches to estimate regression coefficients, including Bayesian estimation with explicit prior information.