Core concepts in statistics and research methods. Part 5: systematic review and meta-analysis
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: By reading this article, you should be able to:• Recall what a systematic review, with or without a meta-analysis, is and when these analyses should be performed.• Appreciate how the use of certainty of evidence influences the position of meta-analyses in the hierarchy of evidence.• Recognise the biases and errors that can occur in meta-analyses.• Practically appraise meta-analyses for use in clinical decision-making. Hierarchy of evidenceIn the traditional hierarchy of evidence, meta-analyses of RCTs sit at the pinnacle (Fig. 1).However, there are issues with almost all meta-analyses that mean this position is not fully justified and that estimates from meta-analyses may be biased.5 One issue concerns the types of studies that can be included in a meta-analyses, which are often observational.
Source: BJA Education
Authors: B. Doleman, J.G. Hardman
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,630
OpenAlex ID: W4415917373