Comprehensive meta analysis software software#
We decided, a priori, to focus on software that was solely dedicated to meta-analysis of randomized therapeutic or observational causal studies. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to systematically compare features, results, and usability of the currently available meta-analysis software. We believe that information on the validity or comparability of results and ease-of-use are equally important factors in the total applicability of the software. Also, most of the existing reviews have focused on numerical features, such as which analytical models were available or what graphs could be produced. The most recent one, however, dates back to 5 years ago and in the meantime the spectrum of available software has changed substantially. To aid potential users in choosing the software that fits their needs, there are a number of reviews and comparisons available. This paper focuses on this area of causal medical research and in particular the software that is being used in the corresponding meta-analyses.Ĭomputer software has become indispensable in meta-analysis and in the last decennia many programs have been developed. Although meta-analysis is applied in many types of research, the bulk of published meta-analyses are in the domain of therapeutic and – albeit to a lesser extent – observational etiologic studies. As the quantitative part of a systematic review, the merit of meta-analysis over qualitative approaches lies in the formal and reproducible investigation of heterogeneity, small study effects, and other data trends.
However, time has taught – both opponents and proponents – that things are not black and white meta-analysis, executed with care, has become an important and influential cornerstone of scientific medicine. Meta-analysis has been characterized in various ways, from "making order of scientific chaos" to "mega-silliness", and has been subject of many debates.
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