Introduction to meta-analysis 1: basic ideas for novices

Workshop category: 

  • Education and training
Date and Location

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 14:00 to 15:30

Location: 

Contact persons and facilitators

Contact person:

Facilitators:

Veroniki AA1
1 School of Education, University of Ioannina, Greece
Target audience

Target audience: 

review authors, researchers

Level of difficulty: 

Basic
Type of workshop

Type of workshop : 

Training
Abstract

Abstract:

Objectives:
The Cochrane Statistical Methods Group has developed a series of workshops addressing the statistical guidelines formulated in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. This workshop will cover the basic ideas of meta-analysis.

Description:
Topics to be covered include:

- What is a meta-analysis?
- What is a forest plot?
- What are odds ratios, risk ratios and risk differences?
- What is heterogeneity?
- What do fixed-effect and random-effects mean?

The emphasis of the workshop will be on obtaining a broad understanding of the differences between the various methods available in the Review Manager (RevMan) software, with advice on which might be used when, and why, and what the results mean.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Well conducted and reported systematic reviews underpin evidence synthesis products such as guidelines. Such products directly influence patient care. A core component of many systematic reviews is meta-analysis, which provides a method to quantitatively determine the risks and benefits of an intervention. This workshop aims to increase systematic reviewers’ knowledge of meta-analysis methods, so that these methods are appropriately applied, and more valid conclusions about the effects of an intervention can be drawn.