title: Meta-analysis in context.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a detailed description of the concept, practice and relevance of meta-analysis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  An increasing abundance of research contributes to a gap between research and clinical practice. The conduct of meta-analysis, when carried out appropriately, provides a means by which data may be summarised such that it provides important answers for practising clinicians pertaining to the strength and direction of the evidence base.
  
  
  METHODS
  A discursive design was adopted to encapsulate the current thinking regarding the use of meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review approach was employed to provide a narrative summary of the subject of meta-analysis. Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure, which involves quantitatively pooling the data from a group of independent studies that have looked at the same or similar clinical problems, using the same or similar research methods. The data are then reanalysed to calculate a pooled estimate of effect and a confidence interval around this estimate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings from this review indicate that meta-analysis is a statistical procedure, which involves quantitatively pooling the data from a group of independent studies that have looked at the same or similar clinical problems, using the same or similar research methods. Correctly conducted, meta-analysis provides useful information for practice, identifying the strength and direction of the evidence base pertaining to important clinical problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meta-analysis is a useful means by which those in the clinical practice setting may clarify the evidence base surrounding a wide variety of clinical problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The value of meta-analysis is that this information may be used to guide clinical practice decision-making and also to direct the development of future research strategies.
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. zmoore@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: Zena
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing