Am J Epidemiol. 2024 May 7;193(5):741-750. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwad014.
Epidemiologists are attempting to address research questions of increasing complexity by developing novel methods for combining information from diverse sources. Cole et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2023;192(3)467-474) provide 2 examples of the process of combining information to draw inferences about a population proportion. In this commentary, we consider combining information to learn about a target population as an epidemiologic activity and distinguish it from more conventional meta-analyses. We examine possible rationales for combining information and discuss broad methodological considerations, with an emphasis on study design, assumptions, and sources of uncertainty.
流行病学家正在尝试通过开发新的方法来整合来自不同来源的信息，以解决日益复杂的研究问题。Cole 等人（Am J Epidemiol. 2023;192(3)467-474）提供了 2 个示例，说明了结合信息以推断总体比例的过程。在本评论中，我们将信息的结合视为一种流行病学活动，以了解目标人群，并将其与更传统的荟萃分析区分开来。我们探讨了信息结合的可能理由，并讨论了广泛的方法考虑因素，重点是研究设计、假设和不确定性来源。
