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Can reliance be placed on a single meta-analysis?

¹Department of Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

|September 1, 1990

Summary

Meta-analysis uses effect size over statistical significance for treatment evaluation. However, combining diverse studies in meta-analysis can be misleading, necessitating careful literature review alongside its findings.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Medical Research Methodology

Background:

Statistical significance, while measuring reliability, is influenced by sample size and does not directly assess treatment efficacy.
Effect size was introduced to standardize treatment effect evaluation, removing sample size influence but risking distortion through standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the utility of meta-analysis in resolving controversies regarding treatment effect evaluation.
To highlight the limitations and potential pitfalls of meta-analysis in scientific research.

Main Methods:

The study critically examines the transition from statistical significance to effect size in meta-analysis.
It analyzes the potential for distortion when standardizing effect sizes.
It discusses the implications of combining heterogeneous study data within meta-analyses.

Main Results:

Meta-analysis, by using effect size, aims to overcome limitations of statistical significance but can distort findings through standardization.
Combining diverse study elements (subjects, outcomes, controls) in meta-analysis can lead to misleading conclusions.
Consistent findings show placebo treatments yield higher effect sizes than no-treatment controls.

Conclusions:

Meta-analyses should supplement, not replace, comprehensive literature reviews due to potential misleading results.
The consistent finding of higher effect sizes for placebo versus no-treatment controls may render untreated control groups obsolete.
Researchers should exercise caution when interpreting individual meta-analysis findings, especially when results are contradictory.

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