Journal
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION
Volume 114, Issue 528, Pages 1436-1449Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC
DOI: 10.1080/01621459.2018.1562932
Keywords
Decision theory; Research prioritization; Uncertainty
Categories
Funding
- Medical Research Council [U105260566]
- Public Health England
- MRC [MC_UU_00002/11] Funding Source: UKRI
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Suppose we have a Bayesian model that combines evidence from several different sources. We want to know which model parameters most affect the estimate or decision from the model, or which of the parameter uncertainties drive the decision uncertainty. Furthermore, we want to prioritize what further data should be collected. These questions can be addressed by Value of Information (VoI) analysis, in which we estimate expected reductions in loss from learning specific parameters or collecting data of a given design. We describe the theory and practice of VoI for Bayesian evidence synthesis, using and extending ideas from health economics, computer modeling and Bayesian design. The methods are general to a range of decision problems including point estimation and choices between discrete actions. We apply them to a model for estimating prevalence of HIV infection, combining indirect information from surveys, registers, and expert beliefs. This analysis shows which parameters contribute most of the uncertainty about each prevalence estimate, and the expected improvements in precision from specific amounts of additional data. These benefits can be traded with the costs of sampling to determine an optimal sample size. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.
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