What is a meta-analysis in simple terms?

What is a meta-analysis in simple terms?

Meta-analysis is a statistical process that combines the data of multiple studies to find common results and to identify overall trends.

What is meta-analysis and example?

Meta-analysis refers to the statistical analysis of the data from independent primary studies focused on the same question, which aims to generate a quantitative estimate of the studied phenomenon, for example, the effectiveness of the intervention (Gopalakrishnan and Ganeshkumar, 2013).

How do you write a meta-analysis paper?

Introduction

1. Rule 1: Specify the topic and type of the meta-analysis.
2. Rule 2: Follow available guidelines for different types of meta-analyses.
3. Rule 3: Establish inclusion criteria and define key variables.
4. Rule 4: Carry out a systematic search in different databases and extract key data.

What is meta-analysis article?

Meta-analysis is a systematic review of a focused topic in the literature that provides a quantitative estimate for the effect of a treatment intervention or exposure. The results of a meta-analysis can be used to form treatment recommendations or to provide guidance in the design of future clinical trials.

What kind of study is a meta analysis?

Meta-analysis is a quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to systematically assess the results of previous research to derive conclusions about that body of research. Typically, but not necessarily, the study is based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.

How do you start a meta analysis?

Here’s the process flow usually followed in a typical systematic review/meta-analysis:

1. Develop a research question.
2. Define inclusion and exclusion criteria.
3. Locate studies.
4. Select studies.
5. Assess study quality.
6. Extract data.
7. Conduct a critical appraisal of the selected studies.
8. Step 8: Synthesize data.

What are the advantages of meta-analysis?

Meta-analysis now offers the opportunity to critically evaluate and statistically combine results of comparable studies or trials. Its major purposes are to increase the numbers of observations and the statistical power, and to improve the estimates of the effect size of an intervention or an association.

Which is the best definition of a meta-analysis?

A meta-analysis is a valid, objective, and scientific method of analyzing and combining different results. Usually, in order to obtain more reliable results, a meta-analysis is mainly conducted on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which have a high level of evidence [2] (Fig. 1).

How is a weighted average produced in a meta-analysis?

Existing methods for meta-analysis yield a weighted average from the results of the individual studies, and what differs is the manner in which these weights are allocated and also the manner in which the uncertainty is computed around the point estimate thus generated.

How is a meta-analysis different from a systematic review?

A meta-analysis is usually preceded by a systematic review, as this allows identification and critical appraisal of all the relevant evidence (thereby limiting the risk of bias in summary estimates).

Where does meta-analysis rank in medical evidence?

In fact, in the hierarchy of evidence (Figure 1), where clinical evidence is ranked according to the strength of the freedom from various biases that beset medical research, meta-analyses are in the top. In contrast, animal research, laboratory studies, case series and case reports have little clinical value as proof, hence being in the bottom.