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Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

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Modern Methods for Epidemiology

Abstract

Observational studies such as those used to investigate lifecourse epidemiology present particular challenges for meta-analysis. This chapter discusses the differences between meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies, introduces methods for meta-analysis in this unique setting, and illustrates the issues involved using a real example from a meta-analysis in the field of diet and cancer. Emphasis is placed on practicalities of how to conduct meta-analyses of observational studies where the information presented in the articles reviewed may be limited.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biostatistics, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health & Therapeutics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Darren C. Greenwood

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  1. Darren C. Greenwood
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Correspondence to Darren C. Greenwood .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Leeds Institute of Genetics, University of Leeds, Division of Biostatistics, Clarendon Way, Worsley Building, Room 8.01, Level 8, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

    Yu-Kang Tu

  2. Leeds Institute of Genetics, University of Leeds, Division of Biostatistics, Clarendon Way, Worsley Building, Room 8.01, Level 8, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

    Darren C. Greenwood

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Greenwood, D.C. (2012). Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. In: Tu, YK., Greenwood, D. (eds) Modern Methods for Epidemiology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3024-3_10

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