Stratified analysis of means
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Speakers |
David Clayton, Institute of Public Health
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Mantel–Haenszel procedures for combining stratum-specific estimates of
effects are widely used for rate ratios and odds ratios, but hardly at all
for differences between means. This is curious, because it is the ability
to see the stratum-specific estimates directly that makes the procedures
useful, and this is just as important for a metric response as for any
other.
The command mhmean is introduced as a metric response equivalent to
mhodds for odds ratios and stmh for rate ratios. Stratum
specific differences between means are displayed, and then combined using a
weighted average. The within group variance is estimated and confidence
limits can be based on either the normal or t distributions.
This command is a useful way of exploring data on a metric response at a
more intuitive level than fitting regression models. An example of its use
will be given.
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