title: Bias in the one-step method for pooling study results.
abstract: The one-step (Peto) method for obtaining pooled effect estimates can yield extremely biased results when applied to unbalanced data. Even for balanced studies, the one-step estimate may incorporate an unacceptable degree of bias. In place of the one-step estimate, we recommend use of ordinary Mantel-Haenszel, weighted least squares, or maximum likelihood estimates whenever the total number of events is adequate for such methods. If the total number of events is small, we recommend exact methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health 90024-1772.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greenland
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvan
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D015983:Selection Bias