title: Modelers' perception of mathematical modeling in epidemiology: a web-based survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mathematical modeling in epidemiology (MME) is being used increasingly. However, there are many uncertainties in terms of definitions, uses and quality features of MME.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To delineate the current status of these models, a 10-item questionnaire on MME was devised. Proposed via an anonymous internet-based survey, the questionnaire was completed by 189 scientists who had published in the domain of MME. A small minority (18%) of respondents claimed to have in mind a concise definition of MME. Some techniques were identified by the researchers as characterizing MME (e.g. Markov models), while others-at the same level of sophistication in terms of mathematics-were not (e.g. Cox regression). The researchers' opinions were also contrasted about the potential applications of MME, perceived as highly relevant for providing insight into complex mechanisms and less relevant for identifying causal factors. The quality criteria were those of good science and were not related to the size and the nature of the public health problems addressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that perceptions on the nature, uses and quality criteria of MME are contrasted, even among the very community of published authors in this domain. Nevertheless, MME is an emerging discipline in epidemiology and this study underlines that it is associated with specific areas of application and methods. The development of this discipline is likely to deserve a framework providing recommendations and guidance at various steps of the studies, from design to report.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, U707 Paris, France. gilles.hejblum@inserm.fr
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hejblum
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Setbon
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Temime
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lesieur
authors.forename: Alain-Jacques
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Valleron
mesh_terms: D001319:Authorship; D003625:Data Collection; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010465:Perception; D012108:Research Personnel