Introduction to the special issue: unlocking the potential of secondary data analysis in pediatric health research

ABSTRACT

Secondary analysis of existing data is a powerful method to answer many complex pediatric health questions. Using secondary data has several advantages including decreased time to complete analysis, decreased data collection costs, improved access to less common conditions, and generalizability for national data sets, yet secondary data analysis is often underutilized. While secondary data analysis is not without its challenges, this special issue aims to spotlight the significance of secondary data in pediatric research, showcasing diverse studies that draw upon data from various sources. This introductory article will present a brief overview of each paper emphasizing the distinctive ways in which authors have employed secondary data to contribute to our understanding of pediatric health.

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Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.