A meta-analysis is a research method that quantitatively synthesizes findings from multiple independent empirical studies addressing the same research question. It extracts effect sizes from each study, computes a pooled weighted estimate (typically via fixed-effect or random-effects models), and assesses heterogeneity across studies. The method persists through academic publishing, statistical software, and training in evidence synthesis disciplines. [formal: meta-analysos | substrate: mind | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.17]
Accepted ontology entry
meta-analysis
A meta-analysis is a research method that quantitatively synthesizes findings from multiple independent empirical studies addressing the same research question. It extracts effect sizes from each study, computes a pooled weighted estimate…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made research method for statistically combining and synthesizing quantitative results from multiple independent studies on the same topic — designed to produce a single pooled estimate with greater statistical power than any individual study.
Names and aliases
- meta-analysisen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrvnylei01rc2ceil9euvkprDERIVED_FROM →
Which-came-first: literature review as a scholarly practice predates meta-analysis by centuries. The quantitative synthesis methods of meta-analysis emerged as a formal extension of the qualitative practice of reviewing literature (e.g., medical literature reviews of the 19th century). literature-review existed first and fed into meta-analysis.
- cmrvopivx01tz2cei02ow71t4DEPENDS_ON →
Removal test: meta-analysis requires systematic research design to operate. Without the capacity to design explicit protocols for evidence collection, inclusion criteria, and data synthesis, meta-analysis cannot function as a method — the removal test targets operation, not sayability.
- cmrvqpy93021o2ceiatigd75gINSTANCE_OF →
Meta-analysis is a specific kind of systematic review that adds quantitative statistical synthesis to the systematic protocol. A competent speaker would call meta-analysis 'a systematic review with statistical methods.' Nearest kind: systematic-review.
Relations to this entry
- cmrx6dfqz02fqsoacsn3y1xkp← SERVES
A forest plot is built and maintained for the sake of meta-analysis: it synthesizes point estimates and confidence intervals from multiple studies into a single visual display. Its design purpose is to serve the meta-analytic goal of presenting heterogeneous study results on a common axis.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 22, 2026, 6:42 AM UTC
- Content hash
- e0ab7dc5c05f2c3e35466a6476ed0bc63e47c6c6229d3b616c5453126ed7baf4