Abstract

Meta-analysis is the quantitative, scientific synthesis of research results. Since the term and modern approaches to research synthesis were first introduced in the 1970s, meta-analysis has had a revolutionary effect in many scientific fields, helping to establish evidence-based practice and to resolve seemingly contradictory research outcomes. At the same time, its implementation has engendered criticism and controversy, in some cases general and others specific to particular disciplines. Here we take the opportunity provided by the recent fortieth anniversary of meta-analysis to reflect on the accomplishments, limitations, recent advances and directions for future developments in the field of research synthesis.

Keywords

CriticismManagement scienceEngineering ethicsScientific progressComputer scienceField (mathematics)Data scienceEpistemologyPolitical scienceLawMathematics

MeSH Terms

AnimalsBiological EvolutionBiological Science DisciplinesEcologyHistory20th CenturyHistory21st CenturyMeta-Analysis as TopicResearch

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Publication Info

Year
2018
Type
review
Volume
555
Issue
7695
Pages
175-182
Citations
1558
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Jessica Gurevitch, Julia Koricheva, Shinichi Nakagawa et al. (2018). Meta-analysis and the science of research synthesis. Nature , 555 (7695) , 175-182. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25753

Identifiers

DOI
10.1038/nature25753
PMID
29517004

Data Quality

Data completeness: 81%