Meta-analysis
Research Methods
Definition. Meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines results from multiple studies to estimate an overall effect and explore heterogeneity.
Explanation
It is applied to behavioural questions, such as the link between the theory of planned behaviour and adherence in chronic illness (Rich et al., 2015), and to large evidence programmes such as diet and colorectal cancer (Chu et al., 2025). Specialised methods exist for technical performance of imaging procedures (Huang et al., 2015).
Related concepts
Systematic review Effect size Risk of bias GRADE approach
Read on The Health Topics
- Planned Behavior and Chronic Illness Adherence: A Meta-Analysis
- From Nutrients to Patterns: Multidimensional Evidence on the Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer-
- Meta-Analysis for Imaging Procedure Technical Performance
References
Chu, A. H. Y., Lin, K., Croker, H., … Chan, D. S. M. (2025). Dietary patterns and colorectal cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the WCRF/AICR Continuous Update Project Global. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 121 (5), 999–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.02.021
Huang, E. P., Wang, X.-F., Choudhury, K. R., McShane, L. M., Gönen, M., Ye, J., Buckler, A. J., Kinahan, P. E., Reeves, A. P., Jackson, E. F., Guimaraes, A. R., & Zahlmann, G. (2015). Meta-analysis of the technical performance of an imaging procedure: Guidelines and statistical methodology. Statistical Methods in Medical Research, 24 (1), 141–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0962280214537394
Rich, A., Brandes, K., Mullan, B., & Hagger, M. S. (2015). Theory of planned behavior and adherence in chronic illness: a meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38 (4), 673-688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9644-3
Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). Meta-analysis. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/meta-analysis/