The Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis Methods Group
(IPD MA MG) comprises individuals who are involved or interested in the
conduct of systematic reviews that include IPD and related methodological
research. The Group aims to provide guidance to those undertaking IPD
meta-analyses within Cochrane reviews.
Activities of IPD MA MG members include:
undertaking IPD meta-analyses;
undertaking empirical research,
for example in the relative benefits of IPD meta-analyses compared with
other forms of systematic review; and using information collected for
IPD meta-analyses to explore whether aspects of design, analysis and reporting
of randomized trials and systematic reviews may be sources of bias and
heterogeneity;
helping authors of Cochrane reviews
decide whether it would be appropriate for their systematic review to
be conducted using IPD and, if so, to offer advice on how to do so;
offering training workshops at
Cochrane Colloquia and disseminating training materials from these; and
maintaining a register of reviews
that have used (or will use) IPD and a database of methodological research
projects and meta-analyses.
Web site: www.ctu.mrc.ac.uk/cochrane/ipdmg |