A meta-analysis is a type of statistical analysis in which the results of multiple studies are combined and then analyzed. Researchers can perform this type of study when there have been a number of previous studies looking at the same question. Show
A meta-analysis is essentially a study of past studies. It is used to get an integrated result. A researcher reviews previously published studies on a topic, then analyzes the various results to find general trends across the studies. It can be used in psychology, general medical practice, or other fields. This article discusses why a meta-analysis might be used and why this type of research is important. It also covers some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of performing a meta-analysis in psychology research. Why Is Meta-Analysis Important?With new studies from around the world constantly being published, the amount of research is overwhelming. This is true even for the most experienced practitioner. A meta-analysis is helpful because it's designed to summarize information. It follows a few general principles. A meta-analysis:
Quantitative analysis involves using mathematical and statistical techniques to measure, model, and understand aspects of human behavior. A single study has more limitations. A
meta-analysis provides more robust results that can help psychology researchers better understand the magnitude of an effect. A meta-analysis provides important conclusions and trends that can influence future research, policy-makers' decisions, and how patients receive care. Purpose of a Meta-AnalysisIn addition to summarizing and analyzing integrated results, a meta-analysis can have other important objectives. Psychology researchers might use this type of research to:
Increasing Sample SizeOne of the reasons why meta-analyses are so useful is because of an all too common problem across many research studies: small sample sizes. Using a large sample size requires more resources, including funds and personnel, than a small sample size. When individual research projects don't study a significant number of subjects, it can be difficult to draw reliable and valid conclusions. Meta-studies help overcome the issue of small sample sizes because they review multiple studies across the same subject area, essentially creating a larger sample size. Establishing Statistical SignificanceMeta-analyses can also help establish statistical significance across studies that might otherwise seem to have conflicting results. When you take many studies into consideration at once, the statistical significance established is much greater than with one study alone. This is important because statistical significance increases the validity of any observed differences. This increases the reliability of the information. Benefits of a Meta-AnalysisMeta-analyses offer numerous advantages over individual studies. Some key advantages include:
Meta-analysis provides a view of the research that has been done in a particular field, summarizes and integrates different findings, and provides important directions for future research. A meta-analysis also reduces the amount of work required to research a topic for other researchers and policy-makers. Instead of having to look at the results of many different smaller studies, people can instead get a more accurate view of what might be happening in a population by looking at the meta-analysis results. RecapMeta-analysis has a number of benefits, including increased statistical power, greater accuracy, and a summary of findings regarding a particular question. DisadvantagesAlthough a powerful research tool, meta-analysis does have some disadvantages. It can be difficult and time-consuming to find all of the appropriate studies to examine. Meta-analyses also require complex statistical skills and techniques. This can be intimidating and challenging for researchers who may lack experience with this type of research. Some researchers have suggested that a meta-analysis often has the effect of halting research on a particular topic. Rather than giving
directions for future research, it may imply that a specific question has been answered and is not in need of additional inquiry. Types of BiasWhile researchers acknowledge that a meta-analysis is an effective tool, researchers' procedures may impact their results. Following certain principles is critical to drawing valid and reliable conclusions. Even minor deviations from protocol can produce biased and misleading results. The three main types of bias are:
RecapBias may occur if publications only accept positive results, if researchers use incomplete searches when conducting a literature review, or if their selection criteria leads to the exclusion of some studies. Examples of Meta-Analysis in PsychologyIt can be helpful to look at how a meta-analysis might be used in psychology to research specific topics. For example, imagine that a small study showed that consuming sugar before an exam was correlated to decreased test performance. Taken alone, such results would imply that students should avoid sugar consumption before taking an exam. However, a meta-analysis that pools data looking at eating behavior and subsequent test results might demonstrate that this previous study was an outlier. A Word From VerywellA meta-analysis can be a useful research tool in psychology. In addition to providing a more accurate look at a specific topic, such studies often make it easier for policy-makers and other decision-makers to see a summary of findings more quickly. By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Thanks for your feedback! Which term refers to statistically combining the results across multiple studies?A meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies. Meta-analyses can be performed when there are multiple scientific studies addressing the same question, with each individual study reporting measurements that are expected to have some degree of error.
Which statistical technique is used for combining the results of many studies on the same subject?A systematic review attempts to gather all available empirical research by using clearly defined, systematic methods to obtain answers to a specific question. A meta-analysis is the statistical process of analyzing and combining results from several similar studies.
What is the name of the statistical method which is used for contrasting and combining results from different studies?Meta-analysis is a statistical tool that allows us to combine information from related, but independent studies, that all have as an objective to estimate or compare the same effects from contrasting treatments.
Which type of study would combine results from multiple studies to come to an overall summary of how human health is affected?In many medical specialties, it is common to find that multiple studies have been conducted to answer similar questions about the effectiveness of a treatment, or the incidence or mortality rates for a particular disease, for example.
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