Edgington's Method for Random-Effects Meta-Analysis Part I: Estimation

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Hauptverfasser: Kronthaler, David, Held, Leonhard
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Kronthaler, David
Held, Leonhard
author_facet Kronthaler, David
Held, Leonhard
contents Meta-analysis can be formulated as combining $p$-values across studies into a joint $p$-value function, from which point estimates and confidence intervals can be derived. We extend the meta-analytic estimation framework based on combined $p$-value functions to incorporate uncertainty in heterogeneity estimation by employing a confidence distribution approach. Specifically, the confidence distribution of Edgington's method is adjusted according to the confidence distribution of the heterogeneity parameter constructed from the generalized heterogeneity statistic. Simulation results suggest that 95% confidence intervals approach nominal coverage under most scenarios involving more than three studies and heterogeneity. Under no heterogeneity or for only three studies, the confidence interval typically overcovers, but is often narrower than the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman interval. The point estimator exhibits small bias under model misspecification and moderate to large heterogeneity. Edgington's method provides a practical alternative to classical approaches, with adjustment for heterogeneity estimation uncertainty often improving confidence interval coverage.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_12301
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Edgington's Method for Random-Effects Meta-Analysis Part I: Estimation
Kronthaler, David
Held, Leonhard
Methodology
Meta-analysis can be formulated as combining $p$-values across studies into a joint $p$-value function, from which point estimates and confidence intervals can be derived. We extend the meta-analytic estimation framework based on combined $p$-value functions to incorporate uncertainty in heterogeneity estimation by employing a confidence distribution approach. Specifically, the confidence distribution of Edgington's method is adjusted according to the confidence distribution of the heterogeneity parameter constructed from the generalized heterogeneity statistic. Simulation results suggest that 95% confidence intervals approach nominal coverage under most scenarios involving more than three studies and heterogeneity. Under no heterogeneity or for only three studies, the confidence interval typically overcovers, but is often narrower than the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman interval. The point estimator exhibits small bias under model misspecification and moderate to large heterogeneity. Edgington's method provides a practical alternative to classical approaches, with adjustment for heterogeneity estimation uncertainty often improving confidence interval coverage.
title Edgington's Method for Random-Effects Meta-Analysis Part I: Estimation
topic Methodology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.12301