118 The Use of Meta-analysis in Companion Animal Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 62-62
Author(s):  
Emma N Bermingham
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Specific Question ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Adult Cat ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Three Rs

Abstract In a world of the “Three Rs” (replace, reduce and refine), combined with more research published via open access research journals, there is increasing interest in the statistical analysis of existing literature. Meta-analysis – the combination of multiple studies, can be used to get better oversight into a specific question of interest. Additionally, it can be used to identify gaps in knowledge. For example, while there are a number of publications investigating energy requirements in adult cat and dog, few studies assess older animals. Similarly, in the dog, there is a lack of literature around dogs at the extremes of body size (i.e. giant and toy breeds). Herein, we describe several published examples that have been used to determine energy requirements of cats and dogs, and more recently, the impacts of diet on the microbiome of the cat and dog. This includes the use of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, research findings and general findings related to research design and quality.

Impact of Post-Surgical Therapies on Endoscopic and External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 846-856
Author(s):  
Alessandro Vinciguerra ◽  
Alessandro Nonis ◽  
Antonio Giordano Resti ◽  
Mario Bussi ◽  
Matteo Trimarchi
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Mitomycin C ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Molecular Heterogeneity ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Nasal Decongestants ◽  
Full Text Review ◽  
External Dacryocystorhinostomy ◽  
Medical Therapies ◽  
Number Of Publications

Background Epiphora is a common ophthalmologic sign that is most commonly caused by distal acquired lacrimal obstruction. Recent data have demonstrated that external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR) and endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (END-DCR) can be considered the treatments of choice. However, different post-surgical medical therapies are available and are currently used to improve surgical outcomes, although no direct comparison has been performed. Objective To analyse the influence of post-surgical medical treatments on END-DCR and EXT-DCR outcomes. Methods A structured search was conducted using the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases with a final search performed in May 2020. The research identified papers published later than 2000 with at least 50 single clinician procedures performed in EXT-DCR and END-DCR. Articles that studied acute infections, revision cases, mixed cohort studies of acquired and congenital obstruction, and tumour were excluded. The influence of systemic antibiotic/steroids, local application of mitomycin C, nasal/ocular antibiotic, nasal/ocular steroids and nasal decongestants was analysed. Results In total, 11,445 papers were selected, 2,741 of which were reviewed after screening, and 18 included after full text review (0.6% of the initial articles reviewed) which involved 3,590 procedures. Considering the low number of publications on EXT-DCR, statistical analysis of post-surgical therapy was not feasible. In END-DCR, the analyses were performed only for nasal steroids (p = 0.58), oral antibiotics (p = 0.45) and nasal decongestant (p = 0.27), which demonstrated no meaningful influence. Given the variable association between adjunctive medical therapies, pharmacologic molecular heterogeneity and modality/concentration of application, these results should be considered critically. Additionally, no differences were seen for application of silicone stenting, whereas, no statistical analysis was performed for mitomycin C. Conclusions Given the high success rate of EXT-DCR and END-DCR and the heterogeneity of literature data, the effective influence of post-surgical medical therapy is difficult to identify. Future large prospective randomized studies could help in detecting the optimal adjunctive therapy for these surgeries.

Transparency of reporting in CALL meta-analyses between 2003 and 2015

ReCALL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifen Lin ◽  
Tsuiping Chen ◽  
Hsien-Chin Liou
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Research Domain

AbstractSince its introduction by Glass in the 1970s, meta-analysis has become a widely accepted and the most preferred approach to conducting research synthesis. Overcoming the weaknesses commonly associated with traditional narrative review and vote counting, meta-analysis is a statistical method of systematically aggregating and analyzing empirical studies by following well-established procedures. The findings of a meta-analysis, when appropriately conducted, are able to inform important policy decisions and provide practical pedagogical suggestions. With the growing number of publications employing meta-analysis across a wide variety of disciplines, it has received criticism due to its inconsistent findings derived from multiple meta-analyses in the same research domain. These inconsistencies have arisen partly due to the alternatives available to meta-analysts in each major meta-analytic procedure. Researchers have therefore recommended transparent reporting on the decision-making for every essential judgment call so that the results across multiple meta-analyses become replicable, consistent, and interpretable. This research explored the degree to which meta-analyses in the computer-assisted language learning (CALL) discipline transparently reported their decisions in every critical step. To achieve this aim, we retrieved 15 eligible meta-analyses in CALL published between 2003 and 2015. Features of these meta-analyses were extracted based on a codebook modified from Cooper (2003) and Aytug, Rothstein, Zhou and Kern (2012). A transparency score of reporting was then calculated to examine the degree to which these meta-analyses are compliant with the norms of reporting as recommended in the literature. We then discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the methodologies and provide suggestions for conducting quality meta-analyses in this domain.

scholarly journals Mortality rates in matched cohort, pseudo-randomised and randomised trials of convalescent plasma given to COVID-19 patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Ahmad ◽  
Marwa Salsabil ◽  
Tim Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Matched Cohort ◽  
Randomised Trials ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractIntroductionFor more than 80 years convalescent or immune sera has been used in severe life threatening infections. Since March of this year a rapidly increasing number of publications have reported series of Convalescent plasma (CP) investigations in severely ill COVID-19 patients.Objectivea brief CP scoping review focusing on early mortalityMethodsWe searched available data bases. Three randomised trials, two pseudo-randomised observations and twelve matched cohort studies were identified. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on extracted dataResultsA total of 2,378 CP treated and 5188 “controls” in 17 studies. Individually only two studies were significant for reduction of deaths to 30 days, but all showed a similar percentage reduction. When pooled, meta-analysis was undertaken. It showed that the overall reduction of death was significant for all series RR 0.710 (p=0.00001), all matched cohort series RR = 0.610 (p-value = 0.001) and the two pseudo-randomised series RR 0.747 (p=0.005) but not the three technically inadequate randomised trials, RR 0.825 (p=0.397). In two of these randomised trials, there was faster clearance of Viral DNA at 72 hours after CP than placeboConclusionIt is hoped the significance of this less than perfect data will increase interest in completing the delayed randomised trials as the results suggest they could be better than currently licenced drugs. Given increasing published evidence of increased risk of both diagnosis and death from COVID-19 in patients with severe Vitamin-D deficiency, future studies should also study influence of Vitamin-D status of donor and recipient on outcome.

An Empirical Review of Research and Reporting Practices in Psychological Meta-Analyses

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-209
Author(s):  
Richard E. Hohn ◽  
Kathleen L. Slaney ◽  
Donna Tafreshi
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reporting Standards ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Research Practices ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Reporting Decisions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Made In

As meta-analytic studies have come to occupy a sizable contingent of published work in the psychological sciences, clarity in the research and reporting practices of such work is crucial to the interpretability and reproducibility of research findings. The present study examines the state of research and reporting practices within a random sample of 384 published psychological meta-analyses across several important dimensions (e.g., search methods, exclusion criteria, statistical techniques). In addition, we surveyed the first authors of the meta-analyses in our sample to ask them directly about the research practices employed and reporting decisions made in their studies, including the assessments and procedures they conducted and the guidelines or materials they relied on. Upon cross-validating the first author responses with what was reported in their published meta-analyses, we identified numerous potential gaps in reporting and research practices. In addition to providing a survey of recent reporting practices, our findings suggest that (a) there are several research practices conducted by meta-analysts that are ultimately not reported; (b) some aspects of meta-analysis research appear to be conducted at disappointingly low rates; and (c) the adoption of the reporting standards, including the Meta-Analytic Reporting Standards (MARS), has been slow to nonexistent within psychological meta-analytic research.

Het kwantitatief integreren van empirische studies: de methode van meta-analyse

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marise Ph. Born ◽  
Stefan T. Mol
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
The Social ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Many ◽  
Quantitative Integration ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Research Domain

Quantitatively integrating empirical studies: The method of meta-analysis Quantitatively integrating empirical studies: The method of meta-analysis Marise Ph. Born & Stefan T. Mol, Gedrag & Organisatie, Volume 19, September 2006, nr. 3, pp. 251-271 Meta-analysis is a quantitative integration of results of a series of empirical studies into a specific research question. The method of meta-analysis has obtained a dominant position in the social sciences and beyond, as it may help in obtaining an overview of the explosively increased number of research publications. This contribution discusses the basics and consecutive steps in performing a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis that we conducted on expatriates serves as an illustration. Next to the many points in favor of meta-analyses, such as having a better overview of a research domain and shifting the traditional focus on significances of effects to sizes of effects, several important controversies remain. One of these is the issue of waving away a specific cause of variance in research findings as a methodological artifact, or interpreting it as a meaningful case of variance. We maintain that every social or industrial- and organizational psychologist who wants to stay up-to-date scientifically should be able to interpret meta-analyses.

A Review and Evaluation of Meta-Analysis Practices in Management Research

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Geyskens ◽  
Rekha Krishnan ◽  
Jan-Benedict E. M. Steenkamp ◽  
Paulo V. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Integrate Research ◽  
Made In

Meta-analysis has become increasingly popular in management research to quantitatively integrate research findings across a large number of studies. In an effort to help shape future applications of meta-analysis in management, this study chronicles and evaluates the decisions that management researchers made in 69 meta-analytic studies published between 1980 and 2007 in 14 management journals. It performs four meta-analyses of relationships that have been studied with varying frequency in management research, to provide empirical evidence that meta-analytical decisions influence results. The implications of the findings are discussed with a focus on the changes that seem appropriate.

Meta-Analyses of Built Environment Effects on Travel: No New Platinum Standard

2019 ◽  
pp. 0739456X1985642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petter Næss
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Specification Error ◽  
Environment Effects ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Poor Understanding ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Transportation Studies

This commentary presents a critique of a particular, strictly quantitative way of reviewing research findings within the field of land use and transportation studies, so-called meta-analyses. Beyond criticism raised earlier, the article draws attention to serious bias resulting when meta-analysis include studies encumbered with model specification error due to poor understanding of causal mechanisms. The article also discusses underestimated limitations due to neglect of differences between geographical contexts and inconsistent measurement of variables across studies. An example of an alternative approach is offered at the end of the article.

The Outcomes of Isolated Distal Realignment Procedures in Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (06) ◽  
pp. 547-552
Author(s):  
Si Heng Sharon Tan ◽  
Sheng Yang Lim ◽  
Keng Lin Wong ◽  
Chintan Doshi ◽  
Andrew Kean Seng Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Patellofemoral Instability ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Current Systematic Review ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Proximal Realignment ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Distal Realignment

AbstractDistal realignment procedures are now commonly performed routinely with proximal realignment procedures. Despite so, only a limited number of publications exist that have looked into the efficacy of isolated distal realignment procedures, and whether there is indeed a need for routine proximal realignment procedures to be added to the distal realignment procedures. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes of isolated distal realignment procedures in the management of patellofemoral instability. The review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRSIMA) guidelines. All studies that reported the outcomes of isolated distal realignment procedures for patellofemoral instability were included. A total of six publications were included, with 347 knees. All studies consistently reported a decrease in the rates of patellofemoral instability or maltracking (odds ratio [OR]: < 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: < 0.01–0.01) and an increase in the odds of having a good outcome (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: < 0.01–0.02) after distal realignment procedures. A total of 24 out of 306 patients (7.8%) had postoperative instability or maltracking, and a total of 220 out of 303 patients (72.6%) were rated to have good or excellent outcomes postoperatively. Isolated distal realignment procedures can lead to good outcomes when used in the management of patellofemoral instability. These include a significantly decreased rate of patellofemoral instability or maltracking and a significantly increased number of patients with excellent or good outcomes postoperatively. Comparisons between patients with and without additional proximal realignment procedures suggest that additional proximal realignment procedures do not definitely improve the outcomes of distal realignment procedures and, therefore, should not be routinely performed in all patients undergoing distal realignment procedures. The Level of Evidence for this study is IV.

scholarly journals Assessing robustness against potential publication bias in coordinate based fMRI meta-analyses using the Fail-Safe N

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya Acar ◽  
Ruth Seurinck ◽  
Simon B. Eickhoff ◽  
Beatrijs Moerkerke
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Popular Approach ◽  
Analytical Results ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Fail Safe ◽  
File Drawer ◽  
Cluster Level ◽  
File Drawer Effect

AbstractThe importance of integrating research findings is incontrovertible and coordinate based meta-analyses have become a popular approach to combine results of fMRI studies when only peaks of activation are reported. Similar to classical meta-analyses, coordinate based meta-analyses may be subject to different forms of publication bias which impacts results and possibly invalidates findings. We develop a tool that assesses the robustness to potential publication bias on cluster level. We investigate the possible influence of the file-drawer effect, where studies that do not report certain results fail to get published, by determining the number of noise studies that can be added to an existing fMRI meta-analysis before the results are no longer statistically significant. In this paper we illustrate this tool through an example and test the effect of several parameters through extensive simulations. We provide an algorithm for which code is freely available to generate noise studies and enables users to determine the robustness of meta-analytical results.

scholarly journals Advancing Meta-Analysis With Knowledge-Management Platforms: Using metaBUS in Psychology

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank A. Bosco ◽  
James G. Field ◽  
Kai R. Larsen ◽  
Yingyi Chang ◽  
Krista L. Uggerslev
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Applied Psychology ◽  
Human Judgment ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Meta Analyses

In this article, we provide a review of research-curation and knowledge-management efforts that may be leveraged to advance research and education in psychological science. After reviewing the approaches and content of other efforts, we focus on the metaBUS project’s platform, the most comprehensive effort to date. The metaBUS platform uses standards-based protocols in combination with human judgment to organize and make readily accessible a database of research findings, currently numbering more than 1 million. It allows users to conduct rudimentary, instant meta-analyses, and capacities for visualization and communication of meta-analytic findings have recently been added. We conclude by discussing challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for expanding the project beyond applied psychology.

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