9 research outputs found
Forecasting: theory and practice
Forecasting has always been in the forefront of decision making and planning.
The uncertainty that surrounds the future is both exciting and challenging,
with individuals and organisations seeking to minimise risks and maximise
utilities. The lack of a free-lunch theorem implies the need for a diverse set
of forecasting methods to tackle an array of applications. This unique article
provides a non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting.
We offer a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods,
principles, and approaches to prepare, produce, organise, and evaluate
forecasts. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a
variety of real-life contexts, including operations, economics, finance,
energy, environment, and social good. We do not claim that this review is an
exhaustive list of methods and applications. The list was compiled based on the
expertise and interests of the authors. However, we wish that our encyclopedic
presentation will offer a point of reference for the rich work that has been
undertaken over the last decades, with some key insights for the future of the
forecasting theory and practice
Monitoring dialysis outcomes across the world--the MONDO Global Database Consortium
Background/Aims: Dialysis providers frequently collect detailed longitudinal and standardized patient data, providing valuable registries of routine care. However, even large organizations are restricted to certain regions, limiting their ability to separate effects of local practice from the pathophysiology shared by most dialysis patients. To overcome this limitation, the MONDO (MONitoring Dialysis Outcomes) research consortium has created a platform for the joint analysis of data from almost 200,000 dialysis patients worldwide. Methods: We examined design and operation of MONDO as well as its methodology with respect to patient inclusion, descriptive data and other study parameters. Results: MONDO partners contribute primary databases of anonymized patient data and collaboratively analyze populations across national and regional boundaries. To that end, datasets from different electronic health record systems are converted into a uniform structure. Patients are enrolled without systematic exclusions into open cohorts representing the diversity of patients. A large number of patient level treatment and outcome data is recorded frequently and can be analyzed with little delay. Detailed variable definitions are used to determine if a parameter can be studied in a subset or all databases. Conclusion: MONDO has created a large repository of validated dialysis data, expanding the opportunities for outcome studies in dialysis patients. The density of longitudinal information facilitates in particular trend analysis. Limitations include the paucity of uniform definitions and standards regarding descriptive information (e.g. comorbidities), which limits the identification of patient subsets. Through its global outreach, depth, breadth and size, MONDO advances the observational study of dialysis patients and care. (c) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
Forecasting: theory and practice
Forecasting has always been at the forefront of decision making and planning.
The uncertainty that surrounds the future is both exciting and challenging,
with individuals and organisations seeking to minimise risks and maximise
utilities. The large number of forecasting applications calls for a diverse set
of forecasting methods to tackle real-life challenges. This article provides a
non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting. We provide
an overview of a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods,
principles, and approaches to prepare, produce, organise, and evaluate
forecasts. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a
variety of real-life contexts.
We do not claim that this review is an exhaustive list of methods and
applications. However, we wish that our encyclopedic presentation will offer a
point of reference for the rich work that has been undertaken over the last
decades, with some key insights for the future of forecasting theory and
practice. Given its encyclopedic nature, the intended mode of reading is
non-linear. We offer cross-references to allow the readers to navigate through
the various topics. We complement the theoretical concepts and applications
covered by large lists of free or open-source software implementations and
publicly-available databases
Forecasting: theory and practice
Forecasting has always been at the forefront of decision making and planning.
The uncertainty that surrounds the future is both exciting and challenging,
with individuals and organisations seeking to minimise risks and maximise
utilities. The large number of forecasting applications calls for a diverse set
of forecasting methods to tackle real-life challenges. This article provides a
non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting. We provide
an overview of a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods,
principles, and approaches to prepare, produce, organise, and evaluate
forecasts. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a
variety of real-life contexts.
We do not claim that this review is an exhaustive list of methods and
applications. However, we wish that our encyclopedic presentation will offer a
point of reference for the rich work that has been undertaken over the last
decades, with some key insights for the future of forecasting theory and
practice. Given its encyclopedic nature, the intended mode of reading is
non-linear. We offer cross-references to allow the readers to navigate through
the various topics. We complement the theoretical concepts and applications
covered by large lists of free or open-source software implementations and
publicly-available databases