title: The multiple-record systems estimator when registrations refer to different but overlapping populations.
abstract: In multiple-record systems estimation it is usually assumed that all registration relate to the same population. In this paper, we develop a method which can be used when the registrations relate to different populations, in the sense that they cover, for example, different time periods or regions. We show that under certain conditions ignoring that the registrations relate to different populations results in correct estimates of population size. The EM algorithm is presented as a method that can be used for more general problems. The parametric bootstrap is used to construct a confidence interval. The proposed method is then applied to a data set with five registrations of neural tube defects, that cover different time periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.zwane@fss.uu.nl
authors.forename: Eugene N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Zwane
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Pal-de Bruin
authors.forename: Peter G M
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries