Fortier, I.* ; Burton, P.R* ; Robson, P.J.* ; Ferretti, V.* ; Little, J.* ; L'Heureux, F.* ; Deschenes, M.* ; Knoppers, B.M.* ; Doiron, D.* ; Keers, J.C.* ; Linksted, P.* ; Harris, J.R.* ; Lachance, G.* ; Boileau, C.* ; Pedersen, N.L.* ; Hamilton, C.M.* ; Hveem, K.* ; Borugian, M.J.* ; Gallagher, R.P.* ; McLaughlin, J.* ; Parker, L.* ; Potter, J.D.* ; Gallacher, J.* ; Kaaks, R.* ; Liu, B.* ; Sprosen, T.* ; Vilain, A.* ; Atkinson, S.A.* ; Rengifo, A.* ; Morton, R.* ; Metspalu, A.* ; Wichmann, H.-E. ; Tremblay, M.* ; Chisholm, R.L.* ; Garcia-Montero, A.* ; Hillege, H.* ; Litton, J.E.* ; Palmer, L.J.* ; Perola, M.* ; Wolffenbuttel, B.H.R.* ; Peltonen, L.* ; Hudson, T.J.*
Quality, quantity and harmony: The DataSHaPER approach to integrating data across bioclinical studies.
Int. J. Epidemiol. 39, 1383-1393 (2010)
BACKGROUND: Vast sample sizes are often essential in the quest to disentangle the complex interplay of the genetic, lifestyle, environmental and social factors that determine the aetiology and progression of chronic diseases. The pooling of information between studies is therefore of central importance to contemporary bioscience. However, there are many technical, ethico-legal and scientific challenges to be overcome if an effective, valid, pooled analysis is to be achieved. Perhaps most critically, any data that are to be analysed in this way must be adequately 'harmonized'. This implies that the collection and recording of information and data must be done in a manner that is sufficiently similar in the different studies to allow valid synthesis to take place. METHODS: This conceptual article describes the origins, purpose and scientific foundations of the DataSHaPER (DataSchema and Harmonization Platform for Epidemiological Research; http://www.datashaper.org), which has been created by a multidisciplinary consortium of experts that was pulled together and coordinated by three international organizations: P³G (Public Population Project in Genomics), PHOEBE (Promoting Harmonization of Epidemiological Biobanks in Europe) and CPT (Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project). RESULTS: The DataSHaPER provides a flexible, structured approach to the harmonization and pooling of information between studies. Its two primary components, the 'DataSchema' and 'Harmonization Platforms', together support the preparation of effective data-collection protocols and provide a central reference to facilitate harmonization. The DataSHaPER supports both 'prospective' and 'retrospective' harmonization. CONCLUSION: It is hoped that this article will encourage readers to investigate the project further: the more the research groups and studies are actively involved, the more effective the DataSHaPER programme will ultimately be.
Impact Factor
Scopus SNIP
Web of Science
Times Cited
Scopus
Cited By
Altmetric
Publication type
Article: Journal article
Document type
Scientific Article
Thesis type
Editors
Keywords
Data synthesis; data quality; data pooling; harmonization; meta-analysis; DataSHaPER; prospective harmonization; retrospective harmonization
Keywords plus
Language
english
Publication Year
2010
Prepublished in Year
HGF-reported in Year
2010
ISSN (print) / ISBN
0300-5771
e-ISSN
1464-3685
ISBN
Book Volume Title
Conference Title
Conference Date
Conference Location
Proceedings Title
Quellenangaben
Volume: 39,
Issue: 5,
Pages: 1383-1393
Article Number: ,
Supplement: ,
Series
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publishing Place
Day of Oral Examination
0000-00-00
Advisor
Referee
Examiner
Topic
University
University place
Faculty
Publication date
Application date
Patent owner
Further owners
Application country
Patent priority
Reviewing status
Peer reviewed
Institute(s)
Institute of Epidemiology (EPI)
POF-Topic(s)
30503 - Chronic Diseases of the Lung and Allergies
Research field(s)
Genetics and Epidemiology
PSP Element(s)
G-503900-001
Grants
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2010-12-31