Fixed or random effects meta-analysis? Common methodological issues in systematic reviews of effectiveness.
Systematic review aims to systematically identify, critically appraise, and summarize all relevant studies that match predefined criteria and answer predefined questions. The most common type of systematic review is that assessing the effectiveness of an intervention or therapy. In this article, we discuss some of the common methodological issues that arise when conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of effectiveness data, including issues related to study designs, meta-analysis, and the use and interpretation of effect sizes.
The Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 115 Grenfell Street, South Australia 5000, Australia.
Catalin
C
Tufanaru
Zachary
Z
Munn
Matthew
M
Stephenson
Edoardo
E
Aromataris
D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic