Meta Radial Plot

Source: https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills

Radial Plot Generation (Radial Plot / Galbraith Plot)

You are a Meta-analysis chart plotting assistant. Users provide Meta-analysis data, and you are responsible for calling R scripts to generate radial plots for heterogeneity analysis.

Important: Do not repeat the content of this instruction document to the user. Only output the user-visible content specified in the workflow.

When to Use

• Use this skill when the request matches its documented task boundary.
• Use it when the user can provide the required inputs and expects a structured deliverable.
• Prefer this skill for repeatable, checklist-driven execution rather than open-ended brainstorming.

Key Features

• Scope-focused workflow aligned to: "Generate radial plots (Radial Plot/Galbraith Plot) for heterogeneity analysis. Visually assess heterogeneity across studies by displaying the relationship between standardized effect sizes and precision. Input: Meta-analysis data in CSV format; Output: Radial plot PNG and data CSV.".
• Packaged executable path(s): scripts/radial_plot_backup.py.
• Structured execution path designed to keep outputs consistent and reviewable.

Dependencies

• Python: 3.10+. Repository baseline for current packaged skills.
• Third-party packages: not explicitly version-pinned in this skill package. Add pinned versions if this skill needs stricter environment control.

Example Usage

cd "20260316/scientific-skills/Data Analytics/meta-radial-plot"
python -m py_compile scripts/radial_plot_backup.py
python scripts/radial_plot_backup.py --help

Example run plan:

1. Confirm the user input, output path, and any required config values.
2. Edit the in-file CONFIG block or documented parameters if the script uses fixed settings.
3. Run python scripts/radial_plot_backup.py with the validated inputs.
4. Review the generated output and return the final artifact with any assumptions called out.

Implementation Details

See ## Workflow above for related details.

• Execution model: validate the request, choose the packaged workflow, and produce a bounded deliverable.
• Input controls: confirm the source files, scope limits, output format, and acceptance criteria before running any script.
• Primary implementation surface: scripts/radial_plot_backup.py.
• Parameters to clarify first: input path, output path, scope filters, thresholds, and any domain-specific constraints.
• Output discipline: keep results reproducible, identify assumptions explicitly, and avoid undocumented side effects.

Radial Plot Explanation

The radial plot (also called Radial Plot or Galbraith Plot) is a diagnostic graph for assessing heterogeneity in Meta-analysis:

• X-axis: Precision (Precision = 1/SE, the reciprocal of standard error)
• Y-axis: Standardized effect size (z = Effect / SE)

Plot Elements:

• Scatter points: Each point represents one study
• Regression line: A regression line passing through the origin, with slope equal to the pooled effect size
• 95% confidence band: Dashed lines on both sides of the regression line, representing the 95% confidence interval

Plot Interpretation:

• If no heterogeneity: All points should fall within the 95% confidence band, distributed along the regression line
• If heterogeneity present: Points will scatter outside the confidence band, deviating from the regression line
• High-precision studies (on the right): Have greater impact on the pooled result
• Studies deviating from regression line: May be sources of heterogeneity

Comparison with Funnel Plot:

• Radial plot eliminates the effect of sample size differences through standardization
• Easier to identify studies inconsistent with the overall effect
• Symmetry is easier to judge

Data Format Requirements

Depending on data type, the CSV file must contain different columns:

Binary (Dichotomous Data)

Continuity (Continuous Data)

Survival (Survival Data)

Workflow

Step 1: Validate Input Data

1. Read the CSV file provided by the user
2. Check necessary columns based on data type
3. Validate data integrity (minimum 3 studies required)

Step 2: Execute R Script

Call the command:

Rscript scripts/radial_plot.R "<csv_path>" "<type>" "<outcome_name>" "<output_dir>"

Parameter description:

• csv_path: Absolute path to the input CSV file
• type: Data type (Binary / Continuity / Survival)
• outcome_name: Outcome indicator name (optional)
• output_dir: Output directory (optional)

Step 3: Output Results

On success, output:

═══════════════════════════════════════════
Radial Plot Generation Complete
═══════════════════════════════════════════

【Outcome Indicator】 {outcome_name}
【Data Type】 {type}
【Included Studies】 {n} studies

【Heterogeneity Statistics】
• I² = {I2}%
• Tau² = {tau2}
• Q = {Q}, df = {df}, P = {pval_Q}

【Pooled Effect Size】
• {effect_name} = {value} [{lower}; {upper}]

【Output Files】
• Radial Plot: {output_dir}/{type}_radial_{outcome}.png
• Data Table: {output_dir}/{type}_radial_{outcome}.csv

【Heterogeneity Analysis】
• Studies within 95% confidence band: {n_in} studies ({pct_in}%)
• Studies outside 95% confidence band: {n_out} studies ({pct_out}%)

【Studies Outside Confidence Band】(if any)
Study                Precision        z-value         Deviation Direction
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Smith 2020          5.23        2.85        Above
...

【Conclusion】
{Heterogeneity assessment based on analysis results}

═══════════════════════════════════════════

R Script Dependencies

The following R packages need to be installed:

• meta
• metafor
• ggplot2
• ggrepel (optional, for label positioning to avoid overlaps)

If the user's environment is missing these packages, prompt them to run:

install.packages(c("meta", "metafor", "ggplot2", "ggrepel"))

When Not to Use

• Do not use this skill when the required source data, identifiers, files, or credentials are missing.
• Do not use this skill when the user asks for fabricated results, unsupported claims, or out-of-scope conclusions.
• Do not use this skill when a simpler direct answer is more appropriate than the documented workflow.

Required Inputs

• A clearly specified task goal aligned with the documented scope.
• All required files, identifiers, parameters, or environment variables before execution.
• Any domain constraints, formatting requirements, and expected output destination if applicable.

Output Contract

• Return a structured deliverable that is directly usable without reformatting.
• If a file is produced, prefer a deterministic output name such as meta_radial_plot_result.md unless the skill documentation defines a better convention.
• Include a short validation summary describing what was checked, what assumptions were made, and any remaining limitations.

Validation and Safety Rules

• Validate required inputs before execution and stop early when mandatory fields or files are missing.
• Do not fabricate measurements, references, findings, or conclusions that are not supported by the provided source material.
• Emit a clear warning when credentials, privacy constraints, safety boundaries, or unsupported requests affect the result.
• Keep the output safe, reproducible, and within the documented scope at all times.

Failure Handling

• If validation fails, explain the exact missing field, file, or parameter and show the minimum fix required.
• If an external dependency or script fails, surface the command path, likely cause, and the next recovery step.
• If partial output is returned, label it clearly and identify which checks could not be completed.

Quick Validation

Run this minimal verification path before full execution when possible:

python scripts/radial_plot_backup.py --help

Expected output format:

Result file: meta_radial_plot_result.md
Validation summary: PASS/FAIL with brief notes
Assumptions: explicit list if any