Background: Single group data present unique challenges for synthesises of evidence. Proportional meta-analysis is becoming an increasingly common technique employed for the synthesis of single group data. Proportional meta-analysis shares many similarities with the conduct and reporting of comparative, or pairwise, meta-analysis. While robust and comprehensive methods exist detailing how researchers can conduct a meta-analysis that compares two (or more) groups against a common intervention, there is a scarcity of methodological guidance available to assist synthesisers of evidence in the conduct, interpretation, and importance of proportional meta-analysis in systematic reviews. Main body: This paper presents an overview targeted to synthesisers of evidence and systematic review authors that details the methods, importance, and interpretation of a proportional meta-analysis. We provide worked examples of how proportional meta-analyses have been conducted in research syntheses previously and consider the methods, statistical considerations, and presentation of this technique. Conclusion: This overview is designed to serve as practical guidance for synthesisers of evidence in the conduct of proportional meta-analyses.
CITATION STYLE
Barker, T. H., Migliavaca, C. B., Stein, C., Colpani, V., Falavigna, M., Aromataris, E., & Munn, Z. (2021, December 1). Conducting proportional meta-analysis in different types of systematic reviews: a guide for synthesisers of evidence. BMC Medical Research Methodology. BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-021-01381-z
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