title: Synthesis of research findings through meta-analysis.
abstract: Meta-analysis is an alternative, quantitative approach to the analysis and synthesis of multiple investigations of the same clinical question. The statistical approaches that have been developed since Glass coined the term meta-analysis in 1976 are discussed. Clinicians will find meta-analysis helpful when there are conflicting research findings about perplexing clinical problems.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mottola
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000592:standards*