What does a meta-analysis entail?

A meta-analysis is a rigorous statistical technique that integrates and assesses the findings from multiple individual studies that address the same research question or hypothesis. By combining data from various studies, a meta-analysis can provide a more precise estimate of effect sizes, enhance the statistical power to detect relationships or effects, and help resolve inconsistencies across research findings. This approach allows researchers and practitioners to draw more comprehensive conclusions about a topic than would be possible from any single study alone.

In contrast, a simple summary of findings from one study focuses on presenting results from only that specific study, lacking the breadth and depth that come from synthesizing multiple sources. A review of literature without quantitative assessment would typically summarize and discuss various studies without using statistical methods to combine their findings. An evaluation of a single research methodology involves scrutinizing the methods used in just one study rather than synthesizing outcomes from multiple studies. Therefore, the defining characteristic of meta-analysis is its focus on statistical analysis of results derived from a body of research, making it a powerful tool in evidence-based practice.