A meta-analysis of meta-analyses

Abstract

Meta-analyses have become an increasingly popular method of drawing conclusions when there are multiple publications addressing a particular topic. While the statistical calculations are straightforward, many of the decisions regarding the research question, populations of interest, and inclusion/exclusion criteria are subjective and have a significant impact on the conclusions. Readers must understand the objective and subjective components of meta-analysis to properly evaluate these types of analyses. © 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.