What does a meta-analysis primarily summarize?

A meta-analysis primarily summarizes data from individual studies related to a specific question. This method involves systematically reviewing multiple studies to extract quantitative data, allowing researchers to compute an overall effect size or estimate. By combining the results of different studies, a meta-analysis enhances the statistical power of the analysis and helps to draw more reliable conclusions about a particular research question. This approach is crucial in fields like healthcare and medicine, where understanding the cumulative evidence from various studies can inform practice and policy.

The focus on data means that insights and opinions, such as those from expert panels or healthcare providers, don't constitute the basis of a meta-analysis. Similarly, while relevant literature citations are important for contextualizing research, they do not represent the quantitative synthesis of findings that characterizes a meta-analysis.