Meta-analyses and Forest plots using a microsoft excel spreadsheet: step-by-step guide focusing on descriptive data

Jeruza L Neyeloff1, Sandra C Fuchs, Leila B Moreira

  • 1Post Graduate Program of Cardiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. jeruza_med@yahoo.com.br.

BMC Research Notes
|January 24, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Microsoft Excel as a Data Analysis Tool01:13

Overview of Microsoft Excel as a Data Analysis Tool

Microsoft Excel is a cornerstone tool for data analysis and statistical operations, offering a wide array of functionalities to manage, analyze, and visualize data efficiently. Recognized for its versatility, Excel facilitates the performance of basic to complex statistical operations, serving as an indispensable asset for analysts, researchers, and students alike. Excel's significance in data analysis emanates from its spreadsheet environment, where data can be organized in rows and columns,...
Performing a Simple Data Analysis using MS-Excel Function01:17

Performing a Simple Data Analysis using MS-Excel Function

Microsoft Excel offers a suite of functions and tools ideal for statistical analysis, making it accessible to students and researchers. This article outlines fundamental Excel functions pivotal for data analysis.
SUM: This function calculates the total sum of a range of values. It's the foundation for aggregating data, essential for determining overall trends and totals in datasets.
AVERAGE: It computes the mean value of a given set of numbers, providing a quick insight into the central...
Microsoft Excel: Regression Analysis01:18

Microsoft Excel: Regression Analysis

Regression analysis in Microsoft Excel is a powerful statistical method for examining the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It's used extensively in fields such as economics, biology, and business to predict outcomes, understand relationships, and make data-driven decisions. The most common type is linear regression, which attempts to fit a straight line through the data points to model the relationship between variables.
To perform regression...
Microsoft Excel: Plotting Mean, SD, and SE01:18

Microsoft Excel: Plotting Mean, SD, and SE

In Microsoft Excel, plotting the mean along with standard deviation (SD) and standard error (SE) helps visualize data variability and reliability. To plot these values, follow these steps:
First, calculate the mean, SD, and SE of your data. The mean is obtained using the formula `=AVERAGE(range)`, while SD can be calculated with `=STDEV.P(range)` for a population or `=STDEV.S(range)` for a sample. SE is calculated as `=SD/SQRT(n)`, where `n` is the sample size.
To plot these values, use a bar...
Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials01:12

Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials

Statistical software is pivotal in data analysis and clinical trials by providing tools to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make predictions. These software packages range from simple data management applications to complex analytical platforms, supporting various statistical tests, models, and simulation techniques. Their significance lies in their ability to handle vast amounts of data with precision and efficiency, enabling researchers to validate hypotheses, identify trends, and make...
Microsoft Excel: Pearson's Correlation01:18

Microsoft Excel: Pearson's Correlation

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for statistical analysis, including calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient, which measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two continuous variables. Pearson's correlation coefficient, often denoted as "r," ranges from -1 to 1. A value close to 1 indicates a strong positive correlation, meaning as one variable increases, the other does too. A value close to -1 indicates a strong negative correlation, implying that as one...