Evaluation of error rates in large scale computerized record linkage studies - ARCHIVED

Matching records in different administrative data bases is a useful tool for conducting epidemiological studies to study relationships between environmental hazards and health status. With large data bases, sophisticated computerized record linkage algorithms can be used to evaluate the likelihood of a match between two records based on a comparison of one or more identifying variables for those records. Since matching errors are inevitable, consideration needs to be given to the effects of such errors on statistical inferences based on the linked files. This article provides an overview of record linkage methodology, and a discussion of the statistical issues associated with linkage errors.