Empirical
Data
Generally,
a cohort study provides the most relevant empirical data for
predictive modeling. Individual data on relevant predictors
and a relevant outcome should be registered for patients in
the cohort, i.e. in a well-defined consecutive series of patients.
The data should be accessible in a data set such that statistical
analyses can be performed. More information on study design
for prognostic studies can be found elsewhere
(Kleinbaum et al., 1982)
(Kleinbaum, 1998)
(Laupacis
et al., 1994).