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Meta‐analysis: an introduction into a research process
Author(s) -
Livingston Mark,
Messura Judith,
Dellinger Tracy,
Holder Ray,
Hyde John
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2008.00033.x
Subject(s) - medicine , terminology , meta analysis , systematic review , interpretation (philosophy) , medline , data science , management science , computer science , pathology , philosophy , linguistics , political science , law , economics , programming language
Various methods for statistical analysis of data are available to clinicians and researchers. Meta‐analysis is a tool by which small, related studies are identified and, through systematic review, are combined into a common data pool for a single, larger population analysis. As with all statistical methods, there are indications and contraindications for the use of meta‐analysis. Additionally, meta‐analysis is dependent upon the quality of data applied, the bias of the test itself, and the interpretation of the results. This article will discuss these aspects of meta‐analysis, including the history of its development and usage in the scientific community, basic terminology, and a relevant literature review.