Michael Borenstein

Introduction to meta-analysis

Among the thousands of meta-analyses that have been published over the past several decades, there are a number of mistakes that appear on a fairly regular basis. This book outlines the most common mistakes, using examples in medicine, epidemiology, education, psychology, criminal justice, and other fields. For each, it explains why it is a mistake, the implications of the mistake, and how to correct the mistake. The book is intended primarily for researchers, and so the discussion is conceptual rather than statistical. The examples show the real-world consequences of the mistakes, explaining (for example) how the mistakes can lead to the adoption of interventions that may actually be harmful in some populations. The book includes a section with examples that show how to report the results of an analysis correctly. These examples can serve as templates for reporting an analysis, while avoiding the mistakes discussed in earlier chapters. The book's author is the co-author of the text Introduction to Meta-Analysis, the best-selling text in this field. In the current volume he draws on his experience teaching meta-analysis to thousands of researchers as well as his experience as a reviewer of meta-analyses for numerous journals.

And How to Avoid Them

Common Mistakes in Meta-Analysis

Julian P. T. Higgins

Hannah R. Rothstein

Larry V. Hedges

The new edition of the market-leading textbook, covering the latest developments in the rapidly growing field of meta-analysis This book provides a clear and thorough introduction to meta-analysis, the process of synthesizing data from a series of separate studies. The first edition of this text was widely acclaimed for the clarity of the presentation, and quickly established itself as the definitive text in this field. The fully updated second edition includes new and expanded content on avoiding common mistakes in meta-analysis, understanding heterogeneity in effects, publication bias, reporting the Knapp-Hartung Sidik-Jonkman adjustment, and more. Several brand-new chapters provide a systematic “how to” approach to performing and reporting a meta-analysis from start to finish. Written by four of the world’s foremost authorities on all aspects of meta-analysis, the new edition of Introduction to Meta-Analysis: Outlines the role of meta-analysis in the research process Shows how to compute effects sizes and treatment effects Explains the fixed-effect and random-effects models for synthesizing data Demonstrates how to assess and interpret variation in effect size across studies Explains how to avoid common mistakes in meta-analysis Discusses controversies in meta-analysis Includes access to a companion website containing videos, spreadsheets, data files, free software for prediction intervals, and step-by-step instructions for performing analyses using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) ™

Introduction to Meta-Analysis

Alexander J. Sutton

Publication bias is the tendency to decide to publish a study based on the results of the study, rather than on the basis of its theoretical or methodological quality. It can arise from selective publication of favorable results, or of statistically significant results. This threatens the validity of conclusions drawn from reviews of published scientific research. Meta-analysis is now used in numerous scientific disciplines, summarizing quantitative evidence from multiple studies. If the literature being synthesised has been affected by publication bias, this in turn biases the meta-analytic results, potentially producing overstated conclusions. Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis examines the different types of publication bias, and presents the methods for estimating and reducing publication bias, or eliminating it altogether. Written by leading experts, adopting a practical and multidisciplinary approach. Provides comprehensive coverage of the topic including: Different types of publication bias, Mechanisms that may induce them, Empirical evidence for their existence, Statistical methods to address them, Ways in which they can be avoided. Features worked examples and common data sets throughout. Explains and compares all available software used for analysing and reducing publication bias. Accompanied by a website featuring software, data sets and further material. Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis adopts an inter-disciplinary approach and will make an excellent reference volume for any researchers and graduate students who conduct systematic reviews or meta-analyses. University and medical libraries, as well as pharmaceutical companies and government regulatory agencies, will also find this invaluable.

Prevention, Assessment and Adjustments

Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis

This book provides a clear and thorough introduction to meta-analysis, the process of synthesizing data from a series of separate studies. Meta-analysis has become a critically important tool in fields as diverse as medicine, pharmacology, epidemiology, education, psychology, business, and ecology. Introduction to Meta-Analysis: Outlines the role of meta-analysis in the research process Shows how to compute effects sizes and treatment effects Explains the fixed-effect and random-effects models for synthesizing data Demonstrates how to assess and interpret variation in effect size across studies Clarifies concepts using text and figures, followed by formulas and examples Explains how to avoid common mistakes in meta-analysis Discusses controversies in meta-analysis Features a web site with additional material and exercises A superb combination of lucid prose and informative graphics, written by four of the world’s leading experts on all aspects of meta-analysis. Borenstein, Hedges, Higgins, and Rothstein provide a refreshing departure from cookbook approaches with their clear explanations of the what and why of meta-analysis. The book is ideal as a course textbook or for self-study. My students, who used pre-publication versions of some of the chapters, raved about the clarity of the explanations and examples. David Rindskopf, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, City University of New York, Graduate School and University Center, & Editor of the Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics. The approach taken by Introduction to Meta-analysis is intended to be primarily conceptual, and it is amazingly successful at achieving that goal. The reader can comfortably skip the formulas and still understand their application and underlying motivation. For the more statistically sophisticated reader, the relevant formulas and worked examples provide a superb practical guide to performing a meta-analysis. The book provides an eclectic mix of examples from education, social science, biomedical studies, and even ecology. For anyone considering leading a course in meta-analysis, or pursuing self-directed study, Introduction to Meta-analysis would be a clear first choice. Jesse A. Berlin, ScD Introduction to Meta-Analysis is an excellent resource for novices and experts alike. The book provides a clear and comprehensive presentation of all basic and most advanced approaches to meta-analysis. This book will be referenced for decades. Michael A. McDaniel, Professor of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, Virginia Commonwealth University

Michael Borenstein

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