A meta-rant about meta-analysis. The escalating publication of… | by Paul Fitzgerald | Medium
First, for readers unfamiliar with the area, what is a meta-analyses? Basically, meta-analysis is a statistical approach that combines the effects seen across multiple clinical trials (or other types of studies). In other words, the results of a number of similar clinical trials are brought together in a single analysis to evaluate whether the body of research has successfully answered a particular question. Meta-analysis can be used to analyse the results of a variety of different types of studies but this approach is especially commonly used to pool the results of clinical trials. For example, if 30 studies have tested whether a specific type of medication is effective in depression, with some studies saying yes and some no, what does the collection of these studies conclude?
As they can be used to synthesise the results of evidence in this way, meta-analyses are considered the ‘top’ level of evidence supporting the effectiveness or otherwise of a new treatment. Some regulatory authorities will require positive meta-analyses prior to approval of a new therapy and even more commonly they are required before a treatment is recommend for use in professional clinical practice guidelines.
Paul Fitzgerald is a Professor of Psychiatry specializing in brain stimulation and neuroscience applications to depression, schizophrenia @ other disorders
More from Paul Fitzgerald
Appendix Microbiota Rescues the Gut-brain Axis in Times Of Crises
The field of environmental science can be intimidating.
Peyton Haug
“Money, Monkeys and Prostitution”
Mass Extinction Events on Earth
Nimisha Singla in Just Another Earthling
Systematics of Journal Publishing
Rima Wiren