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Meta-analysis using Python: a hands-on tutorial
Safoora Masoumi1, Saeid Shahraz2
1Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Boo- Ali Sina Hospital, Pasdaran Blvd, Sari, Mazandaran, 48158 38477, Iran. Safoora.Masoumi@mazums.ac.ir.
Background:
Meta-analysis is a central method for quality evidence generation. In particular, meta-analysis is gaining speedy momentum in the growing world of quantitative information. There are several software applications to process and output expected results. Open-source software applications generating such results are receiving more attention. This paper uses Python's capabilities to provide applicable instruction to perform a meta-analysis.
Methods:
We used the PythonMeta package with several modifications to perform the meta-analysis on an open-access dataset from Cochrane. The analyses were complemented by employing Python's zEpid package capable of creating forest plots. Also, we developed Python scripts for contour-enhanced funnel plots to assess funnel plots asymmetry. Finally, we ran the analyses in R and STATA to check the cross-validity of the results.
Results:
A stepwise instruction on installing the software and packages and performing meta-analysis was provided. We shared the Python codes for meta-analysts to follow and generate the standard outputs. Our results were similar to those yielded by R and STATA.
Conclusion:
We successfully produced standard meta-analytic outputs using Python. This programming language has several flexibilities to improve the meta-analysis results even further.
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