Meta-analysis

Question 1

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 1

The process of combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular topic

Question 2

What is the aim of a meta-analysis?

Answer 2

To produce an overall statistical conclusion

Question 3

What does a meta-analysis result in?

Answer 3

A number of

Question 4

What is a review?

Answer 4

A number of studies are compared and discussed

Question 5

What do you need to consider when findings sources for a meta-analysis?

Answer 5

Sample size, blind/double blind trial, operationalisation, symptoms measured, significance level, outliers and sponsors

Question 6

What are strengths of meta-analysis?

Answer 6

It brings together all the available evidence, there is a large number of participants/studies and its less likely to be biased than single studies

Question 7

What are limitations?

Answer 7

Publication bias/file drawer problem of when studies are published which is usually when results are neutral or negative rather than supporting tested theory.

Question 8

What is the effect size?

Answer 8

Overall statistical measure of relationship across variables in a meta-analysis