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The first example of this was by Hans Eysenck who in a 1978 article in response to the work done by Mary Lee Smith and Gene Glass called meta-analysis an "exercise in mega-silliness". [ 12 ] [ 13 ] Later Eysenck would refer to meta-analysis as "statistical alchemy". [ 14 ]
In medical research, an umbrella review is a review of systematic reviews or meta-analyses. [1] [2] [3] They may also be called overviews of reviews, reviews of reviews, summaries of systematic reviews, or syntheses of reviews. [1] Umbrella reviews are among the highest levels of evidence currently available in medicine. [2]
The aim of the PRISMA statement is to help authors improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. [3] PRISMA has mainly focused on systematic reviews and meta-analysis of randomized trials, but it can also be used as a basis for reporting reviews of other types of research (e.g., diagnostic studies, observational studies).
The combination of data from a meta-analysis can sometimes be visualised. One method uses a forest plot (also called a blobbogram). [38] In an intervention effect review, the diamond in the 'forest plot' represents the combined results of all the data included. [38] An example of a 'forest plot' is the Cochrane Collaboration logo. [38]
For example, if both p-values are around 0.10, or if one is around 0.04 and one is around 0.25, the meta-analysis p-value is around 0.05. In statistics, Fisher's method, [1] [2] also known as Fisher's combined probability test, is a technique for data fusion or "meta-analysis" (analysis of analyses).
An example forest plot of five odds ratios (squares, proportional to weights used in meta-analysis), with the summary measure (centre line of diamond) and associated confidence intervals (lateral tips of diamond), and solid vertical line of no effect. Names of (fictional) studies are shown on the left, odds ratios and confidence intervals on ...
There are various categories of review articles, including narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. Review articles do not introduce new results, but rather state existing results, drawing conclusions on the results presented. Review articles can be categorised by using the same domain, underlying theory, or research method. [4]
Meta-analysis is a method used to combine the results of different trials in order to obtain a quantitative synthesis. The size of individual clinical trials is often too small to detect treatment effects reliably. Meta-analysis increases the power of statistical analyses by pooling the results of all available trials.