A case study in statistical software development for advanced evidence synthesis: the combined value of analysts and research software engineers.

IF 3.9 3区医学 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

BMC Medical Research Methodology Pub Date : 2025-01-17 DOI:10.1186/s12874-024-02450-9

Naomi Bradbury, Tom Morris, Clareece Nevill, Janion Nevill, Ryan Field, Suzanne Freeman, Nicola Cooper, Alex Sutton

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Since 2015, the Complex Reviews Synthesis Unit (CRSU) has developed a suite of web-based applications (apps) that conduct complex evidence synthesis meta-analyses through point-and-click interfaces. This has been achieved in the R programming language by combining existing R packages that conduct meta-analysis with the shiny web-application package. The CRSU apps have evolved from two short-term student projects into a suite of eight apps that are used for more than 3,000 h per month.

Aim: Here, we present our experience of developing production grade web-apps from the point-of-view of individuals trained primarily as statisticians rather than software developers in the hopes of encouraging and inspiring other groups to develop valuable open-source statistical software whilst also learning from our experiences.

Key challenges: We discuss how we have addressed challenges to research software development such as responding to feedback from our real-world users to improve the CRSU apps, the implementation of software engineering principles into our app development process and gaining recognition for non-traditional research work within the academic environment.

Future developments: The CRSU continues to seek funding opportunities both to maintain and further develop our shiny apps. We aim to increase our user base by implementing new features within the apps and building links with other groups developing complementary evidence synthesis tools.

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高级证据合成的统计软件开发案例研究：分析人员和研究软件工程师的综合价值。

背景：自2015年以来，复杂评论综合单元（CRSU）开发了一套基于网络的应用程序（app），通过点击界面进行复杂证据综合元分析。这是在R编程语言中实现的，通过将现有的R包与闪亮的web应用程序包结合起来进行元分析。CRSU的应用程序已经从两个短期的学生项目发展成为一个包含八个应用程序的套件，每个月的使用时间超过3000小时。目的：在这里，我们从主要作为统计学家而不是软件开发人员的个人角度来介绍我们开发生产级web应用程序的经验，希望鼓励和激励其他团体开发有价值的开源统计软件，同时也从我们的经验中学习。主要挑战：我们讨论了我们如何应对研究软件开发的挑战，例如响应现实世界用户的反馈以改进CRSU应用程序，将软件工程原则实施到我们的应用程序开发过程中，以及在学术环境中获得非传统研究工作的认可。未来发展：CRSU将继续寻求融资机会，以维护和进一步开发我们闪亮的应用程序。我们的目标是通过在应用程序中实现新功能并与其他开发补充证据合成工具的小组建立联系来增加我们的用户基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

BMC Medical Research Methodology 医学-卫生保健

CiteScore

6.50

自引率

2.50%

发文量

298

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： BMC Medical Research Methodology is an open access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles in methodological approaches to healthcare research. Articles on the methodology of epidemiological research, clinical trials and meta-analysis/systematic review are particularly encouraged, as are empirical studies of the associations between choice of methodology and study outcomes. BMC Medical Research Methodology does not aim to publish articles describing scientific methods or techniques: these should be directed to the BMC journal covering the relevant biomedical subject area.