Lecture 6: Systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Question 1

What is a systematic review?

Answer 1

• literature review focused on a single question
• identifies, appraises, selects and synthesises high- quality evidence relevant to that question
• well-defined criteria for review (cf narrative review)
• review of both clinical trial and observational data
• highest level of evidence

Question 2

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 2

Systematic review with statistics

derived pool of data determining weighted averages

Question 3

What is the purpose of a meta-analysis?

Answer 3

• increase power
• resolved uncertainty
• improve estimates of effect size
• answer other questions

Question 4

What is the Chi test used for?

Answer 4

Tests for heterogeneity