When a study combines and statistically analyzed the finding of various studies, such a study is termed as meta-analysis study. The purpose of a meta-analysis study is to integrate the findings of various studies done on almost similar topics.
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How to Write Effective Meta-Analysis Research Papers
1. How to Write Effective
Meta-Analysis Research
Papers
2. What is Meta-Analysis Research
Study?
Various studies are done on similar or approximately similar topics.
These studies are done at different time-period and in different
regions. Each study has its analysis. When a study combines and
statistically analyzed the finding of various studies, such a study is
termed as meta-analysis study. The purpose of a meta-analysis study
is to integrate the findings of various studies done on almost similar
topics.
In most cases, the studies involved in a meta-analysis are
randomized, controlled clinical trials. Meta-analysis is done to arrive
at the precise conclusion about the risk factor for a disease, the effect
of treatment on the disease, or the use of specific treatment against
the disease.
3. How to Write Effective Meta-Analysis
Research Papers?
Writing meta-analysis requires a lot of scrutinies and result in analysis.
Following are the rules to be followed for writing the good and effective
meta-analysis research paper:
• Research question and type of meta-analysis: This is the first and
one of the important steps for good meta-analysis.
• Establish inclusion and exclusion criteria: Before starting the meta-
analysis, you should have a definite criterion in you’re and to select and
reject studies.
• Detailed use of databases: The author should be well-versed with
various databases. You should perform a comprehensive, organized and
systematic literature search to find the relevant studies.
4. • Use of various guidelines for meta-analysis: Various guidelines
for conducting a meta-analysis are available. These include Meta-
analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE)
statements, Quality of Reports of Meta-analyses of Randomized
Controlled Trials (QUORUM), and Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA).
• Identifying statistical methods: The author should identify the
best statistical methods for meta-analysis that significantly reduces
biasness.
• Detailed data and data integrity: Incorporate comprehensive data
in your meta-analysis research paper. The quality of the study
should also be good for accurate results.
5. • Use of statistical software: The author should have access to
various meta-statistics software to carry out statistical analysis.
Help from a professional statistician can be taken for carrying
analysis.
• Coding forms: The author should define accurate coding forms to
obtain relevant statistics. Good coding forms help in obtaining
high-quality results.
• Interpreting results and suggesting future scope: Pay special
attention to the discussion part of the research paper. Through
discussion, the author discusses the results of a meta-analysis in
comparison to current literature. Future scope of meta-analysis
helps to initiate new studies in the forward direction.
6. What is the Need of Meta-Analysis
Study?
Meta-analysis finds its importance in different aspects of the research
process. These include:
To simplify the complex data: Meta-analysis is done to simplify the
complex data. Data from various studies are taken and analyzed
statistically. Further, meta-analysis provides a more complex data
analysis related to outcome, safety, and efficacy.
Publications: Meta-analysis is required during the publication of the
primary study in journals. Meta-analysis plays an important role in
recognizing the outcomes available from the prior studies which are
related to the research topic in context. Through meta-analysis, the
researcher submits the prior data in the introduction of the primary
research study.
7. Studies with conflicting results: Studies on a similar research
topic may have conflicting results. For instance, some studies
advocate the use of calcium in pre-eclampsia while other studies
indicate that there is no effect of calcium supplementation on pre-
eclampsia.
Grant applications: Fund or grant is required to perform a new
study. For preparing the proposal for the fund, meta-analysis is done
to consolidate the available data and to determine the need for a
new study.
Performing new studies: Meta-analysis analyzes all the relevant
studies available on a specific research topic. This helps in
determining the specific requirement for conducting a new study.
Meta-analysis provides insight about which outcomes are already
measured in prior data and which still requires an answer.
8. What are the Characteristics of Meta-
Analysis Research Study?
Following are the characteristics of a meta-analysis research study:
• Statistical method: Meta-analysis is done to establish statistical
significance among the studies already done in a specific area of
research with conflicting results. It helps in increasing the validity of
differences in different studies. Meta-analysis requires detailed
statistical skills.
• Use of prior data: Meta-analysis does not initiate altogether new
research i.e. it is not primary research. It uses the data from the
studies that had already taken place.
9. • Evidence evaluation: Meta-analysis is done to determine the
strength of evidence present in the prior art in context to a specific
area of research. It also helps in determining the need for new
primary research.
• Increased sample size: Many individual studies have a common
problem of small sample size. This problem is solved through
meta-analysis. A meta-analysis combines the samples of different
studies to reach an accurate, valid and precise conclusion.
• Different subsets: Meta-analysis evaluates the cause-effect
relationship in different studies i.e. different subsets of the subjects.
The result of meta-analysis can be extrapolated to a larger
population.