Meta-analysis is often used in research to support conclusions with aggregate statistical power, rather than attempting to rely on single studies to support outcomes. Read the following article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3049418/
After reading about the pros and cons of meta-analysis processes, imagine that the hospital you work for has assigned you to research the incidence of fractured collarbones in children. Because you cannot find one definitive, significant study, you decide to review a number of small studies where the presence of a fractured collarbone is indicated but not significant.
In 3 to 4 pages, describe how you would glean relevant information from the small studies. What information is important to include in your final analysis? Is the meta-analysis you performed relevant, valid, and appropriate to examine the problem? Why or why not? Discuss the potential biases present in the meta-analysis you conducted. You must include support from the required readings and at least one outside source. You must format your paper in accordance with APA guidelines.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Meta-analysis is a research method used to summarize the findings of multiple studies. It is a powerful tool that allows researchers to compile and analyze data from various sources to derive a single, concise conclusion.
Answer:
When faced with the challenge of researching the incidence of fractured collarbones in children, I would conduct a meta-analysis of multiple small studies that indicate the presence of a fractured collarbone but are not significant on their own.
To glean relevant information from these studies, I would first identify the relevant studies through a systematic search of online databases, such as PubMed or Google Scholar. I would then carefully review each study to extract data on study design, sample size, and the outcomes of interest. It is essential to standardize the methodology of the studies to ensure that the data is compatible and comparable.
The information that is important to include in the final analysis includes the outcome of interest, such as the incidence rate of fractured collarbones, the sample size, confidence intervals of the studies, and statistical heterogeneity. It is essential to calculate the overall effect size and its confidence intervals to determine the statistical significance of the findings.
The meta-analysis I would perform is relevant, valid, and appropriate to examine the problem. A meta-analysis is a useful tool when faced with a paucity of data on a particular topic. It uses statistical methods to draw conclusions from multiple studies, resulting in a more powerful estimate of the true effect size than any of the individual studies can produce independently.
However, there are potential biases present in the meta-analysis that I conducted. The studies’ inclusion was based on the probability of finding a relation between fractured collarbones and children, which could lead to a bias in the direction of the included studies. Moreover, publication bias could occur as small studies with non-significant findings may be unpublished, leading to underestimation of the effect size.
In conclusion, meta-analysis is a crucial tool to provide summary statistics and evidence for the incidence of fractured collarbones in children. When conducting a meta-analysis, it is essential to consider biases, such as study design, publication bias, and precision in the selection process of included studies. This method can result in a more robust estimate of an effect size than single studies, potentially guiding better clinical decision-making.
