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Conducting a meta‐analysis: basics and good practices
Author(s) -
Cheung Mike W.L.,
Ho Roger C. M.,
Lim Yonghao,
Mak Anselm
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-185x.2012.01712.x
Subject(s) - meta analysis , set (abstract data type) , data science , computer science , medicine , statistical analysis , random effects model , management science , data mining , statistics , mathematics , engineering , programming language
Meta‐analysis is a statistical method to compare and combine effect sizes from a pool of relevant empirical studies. It is now a standard approach to synthesize research findings in many disciplines, including medical and healthcare research. This paper is the third paper of a mini‐series introducing systematic review and meta‐analysis. First, common effect sizes used in meta‐analysis are presented. Fixed‐, random‐ and mixed‐effects models are then introduced. Next, a real data set from a published meta‐analysis will be used to illustrate the procedures and interpretations. Last, software packages that may be used to conduct meta‐analyses will be highlighted.