Good practice data linkage (GPD)

A translation of the german version

authored by

Stefanie March, Silke Andrich, Johannes Drepper, Dirk Horenkamp-Sonntag, Andrea Icks, Peter Ihle, Joachim Kieschke, Bianca Kollhorst, Birga Maier, Ingo Meyer, Gabriele Müller, Christoph Ohlmeier, Dirk Peschke, Adrian Richter, Marie Luise Rosenbusch, Nadine Scholten, Mandy Schulz, Christoph Stallmann, Enno Swart, Stefanie Wobbe-Ribinski, Antke Wolter, Jan Zeidler, Falk Hoffmann

Abstract

The data linkage of different data sources for research purposes is being increasingly used in recent years. However, generally accepted methodological guidance is missing. The aim of this article is to provide methodological guidelines and recommendations for research projects that have been consented to across different German research societies. Another aim is to endow readers with a checklist for the critical appraisal of research proposals and articles. This Good Practice Data Linkage (GPD) was already published in German in 2019, but the aspects mentioned can easily be transferred to an international context, especially for other European Union (EU) member states. Therefore, it is now also published in English. Since 2016, an expert panel of members of different German scientific societies have worked together and developed seven guidelines with a total of 27 practical recommendations. These recommendations include (1) the research objectives, research questions, data sources, and resources; (2) the data infrastructure and data flow; (3) data protection; (4) ethics; (5) the key variables and linkage methods; (6) data validation/quality assurance; and (7) the long-term use of data for questions still to be determined. The authors provide a rationale for each recommendation. Future revisions will include new developments in science and updates of data privacy regulations.

Organisation(s)

Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH)

External Organisation(s)

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences
University Hospital Düsseldorf
University of Cologne
Epidemiological Cancer Registry of Lower Saxony
Berlin-Brandenburg Myocardial Infarction Registry e. V.
Technische Universität Dresden
IGES Institut GmbH
University of Bremen
University of Greifswald
Central Research Institute for Ambulatory Healthcare in Germany (Zi)
DAK-Gesundheit Zentrale
Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Technology, Methods, and Infrastructure for Networked Medical Research (TMF)
Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS
University of Applied Sciences for Health
German Diabetes Center (DDZ)
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

Type

Article

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Volume

17

Pages

1-20

No. of pages

20

ISSN

1661-7827

Publication date

01.11.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217852 (Access: Open)