META-ANALYSIS RESEARCH Meta-analysis is basically understood as an analysis of analysis. It involves objective and quantitative synthesize of previous and independent published and unpublished studies and research on specific topic into an overall finding. Conducting a meta-analysis research involves identification of the relevant variable, establishing the relevant research and conducting the analysis.(sage)

Examples of meta-analysis research Judge et al. (2004) conducted a meta-analysis of 96 studies that investigated the relationship between leadership qualities and intelligence. Results indicated that the corrected correlation between intelligence and leadership is Overall, results suggest that the relationship between intelligence and leadership is considerably lower than previously thought.

Strengths of meta-analysis research It enables comparison or combination of results across sets of similar studies this giving more dependable results since this may help to remove any inconsistencies. It enables generalization of results to a larger population. Overcoming bias-It can also help detect biases, such as publication bias where only portion of relevant studies may be included, as well as deficiencies in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of research thus stimulates improvements in the quality of results. Accuracy and reliable. This is because it combines results from many trials hence has more power to detect even the small but clinically significant effects. It gives more precise estimates of the size of any effects. Besides accuracy of estimates can be improved as more data is used Good meta-analysis research is transparent. Its openness lies it is ability to reveal all decisions taken throughout the process to the final aggregate effect sizes. Hypothesis testing can be applied on summary estimates Moderators can be included to explain variation between studies

Weaknesses of meta-analysis research Meta-analysis enables a rigorous comparison or results thus relies largely on availability of relevant information and if some of the crucial factors like sample size and methodology are missing then comparison may not be feasible. Meta-analysis cannot improve the quality or reporting of the original studies. It does not offer nothing much new. Misapplications of the method interferes with the quality of data and its potential to address underlying biases. This is often for instance when the diversity of the study is ignored or mishandled in the analysis.

Weaknesses continue A meta-analysis of several small studies does not predict the results of a single large study. Much care should be accorded in reviewing and comparing results and even citation of previous reviews. Inability to deal with the large number of studies on a topic hence focus may be limited on a small subset of studies in many occasions without describing how the subset was selected

Questions meta-analysis can answer and those that it cannot Meta-analysis answers questions that implies comparison aspects. For instance, does the new treatment confer significant benefits compared with the conventional treatment? Crombie, I.K., (2009).

REFERENCES Crombie, I.K. (2009). Evidence Based Medicine. Fagard R.H., Staessen J.A., Thijs L. (1996). Advantages and disadvantages of the meta-analysis approach. Journal of Hypertension. Supplement: Official Journal of the International Society of Hypertension. Fagard R.HStaessen J.AThijs L Ioannidis J.P., Lau J. (1999) Pooling research results: benefits and limitations of meta-analysis. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality improvement Ioannidis J.PLau J