1
$\begingroup$

I am struggling with the question of how to define my research. I download raw data (RNA sequencing data) from multiple studies and I am going to analyze again them together as they " brought from one study". Can I call it a meta analysis of some kind?

Thanks a lot!

Ed

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

You are thinking about doing an 'individual participant/patient data meta-analysis' (IPDMA). It's a bit more involved though than just combining some datasets and pretending they are one large study. To start, you need to respect the multilevel nature of the data. For a very thorough coverage of the topic, see:

Riley, R. D., Tierney, J. F., Stewart, L. A. (Eds) (2021). Individual participant data meta-analysis: A handbook for healthcare research. Wiley. https://www.wiley.com/en-am/Individual+Participant+Data+Meta+Analysis:+A+Handbook+for+Healthcare+Research-p-9781119333722

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Great thank you! $\endgroup$
    – user338259
    Oct 19, 2021 at 14:45
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Great thank you! that what I thought. I read the paper PMID: 20139215 says "The statistical implementation of an individual participant data meta-analysis crucially must preserve the clustering of patients within studies; it is inappropriate to simply analyse individual participant data as if they all came from a single study. Clusters can be retained during analysis by using a two step or a one step approach..." made me think it meant something else. but now I understand that I need to read more about the statistical methods...Thanks again for lighting it up:) Ed. $\endgroup$
    – user338259
    Oct 19, 2021 at 14:55

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.