June 1, 1991Open Access
The potential and limitations of meta-analysis.
Key Points
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Abstract
We are currently wimessing an "epidemic" of meta-analyses and overviews in the scientific literature. This is a relatively new phenomenon and this article addresses some of the important issues raised by their increasing use. In particular the differing applications and limitations of meta- analysis are discussed, with a review of the analytic methods used and the problems and biases encountered.