What is meta-analysis?

摘要

When clinicians begin their search for the best available evidence to inform decision-making, they are usually directed to the top of the 'evidence pyramid' to find out whether a systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted. The Cochrane Library is fast filling with systematic reviews and meta-analyses that aim to answer important clinical questions and provide the most reliable evidence to inform practice and research. So what is meta-analysis and how can it contribute to practice?