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meta-analysis

— Statistical combination of estimates derived from two or more similar studies, to give an overall effect estimate


Full explanation:

Meta-analysis is the statistical synthesis of data from separate but similar (comparable) studies, to generate a quantitative summary of the results overall, including an overall (average) effect estimate, the confidence interval for that estimate, and a measure of how inconsistent (heterogeneous) the effect estimates from the individual studies are. Meta-analysis is often used in systematic reviews but is not a necessary component of such reviews.

See also:

forest plot

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