Читать книгу Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis - Группа авторов - Страница 30

 IPD meta‐analyses are major research projects that typically take upwards of two years to complete. Specific research funding is usually required, and they cannot be done on a volunteer basis or in spare time. They require broader skills than conventional systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of aggregate data, including greater statistical expertise and experience in managing participant‐level data.

 Many IPD meta‐analysis projects are collaborative, involving partnership with trial investigators who contribute IPD from their trials for re‐analysis and whose role is acknowledged through membership of a collaborative group and authorship arrangements. An advisory group may be set up to include wider clinical, topic or methodological expertise and to facilitate patient and public involvement.

 Obtaining IPD from repositories or data‐sharing platforms is emerging as a possible alternative or complement to direct collaboration with trial investigators.

 Initiating an IPD meta‐analysis requires careful planning and detailed preparation. A clear overview of the entire project is needed at the outset, to give the best chance of success.

 Set‐up tasks can include developing a project scope, establishing the central research team and advisory group, seeking in principle agreement to collaborate from trial investigators and/or identifying other sources of IPD, developing data‐sharing agreements, applying for research funding, and for ethical approval or exemption.

 A competent central research team should include members with experience of successfully completing an IPD meta‐analysis project, advanced statistical knowledge, experience in managing and coding IPD, and strong communication skills. The team should be as independent as possible and should not include members with a vested interest or strongly held views on the particular topic under investigation, such as whether a particular intervention is or is not effective.

 Prospective IPD meta‐analysis projects need detailed and specialist planning.