arXiv subjects

Timothy M. Pollington

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy M. Pollington.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Developments in statistical inference when assessing spatiotemporal disease clustering with the tau statistic

The tau statistic $τ$ uses geolocation and, usually, symptom onset time to assess global spatiotemporal clustering from epidemiological data. We test different factors that could affect graphical hypothesis tests of clustering or bias clustering range estimates based on the statistic, by comparison with a baseline analysis of an open access measles dataset. From re-analysing this data we find that the spatial bootstrap sampling method used to construct the confidence interval for the tau estimate and confidence interval (CI) type can bias clustering range estimates. We suggest that the bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) CI is essential for asymmetric sample bootstrap distributions of tau estimates. We also find evidence against no spatiotemporal clustering, $p$-value $\in$ [0,0.014] (global envelope test). We develop a tau-specific modification of the Loh & Stein spatial bootstrap sampling method, which gives more precise bootstrapped tau estimates and a 20% higher estimated clustering endpoint than previously published (36.0m; 95% BCa CI (14.9, 46.6), vs 30m) and an equivalent increase in the clustering area of elevated disease odds by 44%. What appears a modest radial bias in the range estimate is more than doubled on the areal scale, which public health resources are proportional to. This difference could have important consequences for control. Correct practice of hypothesis testing of no clustering and clustering range estimation of the tau statistic are illustrated in the Graphical abstract. We advocate proper implementation of this useful statistic, ultimately to reduce inaccuracies in control policy decisions made during disease clustering analysis.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2019

The spatiotemporal tau statistic: a review

Introduction The tau statistic is a recent second-order correlation function that can assess the magnitude and range of global spatiotemporal clustering from epidemiological data containing geolocations of individual cases and, usually, disease onset times. This is the first review of its use, and the aspects of its computation and presentation that could affect inferences drawn and bias estimates of the statistic. Methods Using Google Scholar we searched papers or preprints that cited the papers that first defined/reformed the statistic. We tabulated their key characteristics to understand the statistic's development since 2012. Results Only half of the 16 studies found were considered to be using true tau statistics, but their inclusion in the review still provided important insights into their analysis motivations. All papers that used graphical hypothesis testing and parameter estimation used incorrect methods. There is a lack of clarity over how to choose the time-relatedness interval to relate cases and the distance band set, that are both required to calculate the statistic. Some studies demonstrated nuanced applications of the tau statistic in settings with unusual data or time relation variables, which enriched understanding of its possibilities. A gap was noticed in the estimators available to account for variable person-time at risk. Discussion Our review comprehensively covers current uses of the tau statistic for descriptive analysis, graphical hypothesis testing, and parameter estimation of spatiotemporal clustering. We also define a new estimator of the tau statistic for disease rates. For the tau statistic there are still open questions on its implementation which we hope this review inspires others to research.

stat.AP↗