Meta-Analysis
Meta-Analysis
Meta-Analysis (/ˈmɛtə əˈnælɪsɪs/) is a statistical technique used in epidemiology, psychology, social sciences, and other fields to combine the results of multiple studies to produce a single estimate of the main effect.
Etymology
The term "Meta-Analysis" was coined by the statistician Gene V Glass in 1976. The prefix "meta-" is derived from the Greek word meaning "beyond" or "after", and "analysis" comes from the Greek "analusis" meaning "a breaking up, a loosening, releasing."
Definition
A Meta-Analysis is a statistical method that combines or integrates the results of several independent clinical trials considered by the analyst to be 'combinable'. It uses statistical techniques to analyze and summarize the results of the included studies.
Process
The process of conducting a Meta-Analysis involves several steps:
- Identification of relevant studies: This involves a comprehensive search of the literature to identify all studies that meet the pre-specified inclusion criteria.
- Data extraction: This involves extracting relevant information from each of the identified studies.
- Statistical analysis: This involves using statistical techniques to combine the results of the different studies.
Related Terms
- Systematic review: A systematic review is a type of literature review that collects and critically analyzes multiple research studies or papers.
- Randomized controlled trial: A study in which people are allocated at random to receive one of several clinical interventions.
- Cohort study: A type of observational study that follows a group of people (a cohort) over time.
- Case-control study: A type of observational study in which two existing groups differing in outcome are identified and compared on the basis of some supposed causal attribute.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Meta-Analysis
- Wikipedia's article - Meta-Analysis
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