Tutorial on Introduction to biostatistics
Meta-analysis
Meta analysis will be used to combine results of similar studies quantitatively to give a over all picture of the problem undertaken. One has to have explicit criteria for inclusion to avoid combining studies that have fundamental differences in design. The strengths of a meta-analysis is that it functions essentially like a mega-study with increase in sample size and greater generalizability since data is being captured from studies conducted at multiple sites, by differing groups of investigators.
To start a meta analysis we will have identify the articles available with respect to the problem we have undertaken and then combine the articles which meet our pre-determined inclusion criteria.