Probabilistic Record Linkage (Probabilistic Linkage) is a method that uses properties of variables common to databases to determine the probability that two records refer to the same person and/or event.
Probabilistic record linkage offers a way of integrating data from different sources where there is no shared unique identifier.
• It raises a wide range of issues from highly technical statistics to legislation and public perception.
• But it is not without its difficulties.
• Clerical review is time consuming (and therefore expensive), repetitive and requires constant concentration.
• But without it error rates increase.
• Even so, it may be the future for data integration (e.g. the proposed Data Linkage Centre). … Probabilistic Record Linkage