title: Record linkage:  statistical models for matching computer records.
abstract: "We wish to measure the evidence that a pair of records relates to the same, rather than different, individuals.  The paper emphasizes statistical models which can be fitted to a file of record pairs known to be correctly matched, and then used to estimate likelihood ratios.  A number of models are developed and applied to U.K. immigration statistics.  The combination of likelihood ratios for possibly correlated record fields is discussed."  A series of comments on the paper is also included, as well as a reply to those comments by the author (pp. 312-20).
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Copas
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hilton
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D019049:Developed Countries; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005060:Europe; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012106:Research; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Data Collection; Data Linkage; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Europe; International Migration; Mathematical Model; Migration; Models, Theoretical; Northern Europe; Population; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; United Kingdom