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Conceptual comparison of constructs as first step in data harmonization: Parental sensitivity, child temperament, and social support as illustrations

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Bronia Arnott

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Abstract

© 2022 The Author(s)This article presents a strategy for the initial step of data harmonization in Individual Participant Data syntheses, i.e., making decisions as to which measures operationalize the constructs of interest - and which do not. This step is vital in the process of data harmonization, because a study can only be as good as its measures. If the construct validity of the measures is in question, study results are questionable as well. Our proposed strategy for data harmonization consists of three steps. First, a unitary construct is defined based on the existing literature, preferably on the theoretical framework surrounding the construct. Second, the various instruments used to measure the construct are evaluated as operationalizations of this construct, and retained or excluded based on this evaluation. Third, the scores of the included measures are recoded on the same metric. We illustrate the use of this method with three example constructs focal to the Collaboration on Attachment Transmission Synthesis (CATS) study: parental sensitivity, child temperament, and social support. This process description may aid researchers in their data pooling studies, filling a gap in the literature on the first step of data harmonization. • Data harmonization in studies using combined datasets is of vital importance for the validity of the study results. • We have developed and illustrated a strategy on how to define a unitary construct and evaluate whether instruments are operationalizations of this construct as the initial step in the harmonization process. • This strategy is a transferable and reproducible method to apply to the data harmonization process.

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Author(s): Verhage ML, Schuengel C, Holopainen A, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Bernier A, Brown GL, Madigan S, Roisman GI, Vaever MS, Wong MS, Barone L, Behrens KY, Behringer J, Bovenschen I, Cassibba R, Cassidy J, Coppola G, Costantini A, Dozier M, Ensink K, Fearon RMP, Finger B, Hautamaki A, Hazen NL, Ierardi E, Jongenelen I, Koppe S, Lionetti F, Mangelsdorf S, Oosterman M, Pace CS, Raby KL, Crugnola CR, Simonelli A, Spangler G, Tarabulsy GM, Vaever MS, Arnott B, Bailey H, Brice PJ, Brisch K-H, Castoro G, Costantino E, Cyr C, George C, Gloger-Tippelt G, Gojman S, Harder S, Howes C, Jacobsen H, Jacobvitz D, Jin MK, Juffer F, Kazui M, Leerkes EM, Lyons-Ruth K, McMahon C, Meins E, Millan S, Murray L, Nowacki K, Pederson DR, Priddis L, Sagi-Schwartz A, Schoppe-Sullivan SJ, Solomon J, Speranza AM, Steele M, Steele H, Teti DM, van IJzendoorn MH, van Londen-Barentsen WM, Ward MJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: MethodsX

Year: 2022

Volume: 9

Online publication date: 26/10/2022

Acceptance date: 20/09/2022

Date deposited: 10/03/2023

ISSN (electronic): 2215-0161

Publisher: Elsevier B.V.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101889

DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101889

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