Introduction, comparison, and validation of Meta‐Essentials: A free and simple tool for meta‐analysis

Robert Suurmond*, Henk van Rhee, Tony Hak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We present a new tool for meta-analysis, Meta-Essentials, which is free of charge and easy to use. In this paper, we introduce the tool and compare its features to other tools for meta-analysis. We also provide detailed information on the validation of the tool. Although free of charge and simple, Meta-Essentials automatically calculates effect sizes from a wide range of statistics and can be used for a wide range of meta-analysis applications, including subgroup analysis, moderator analysis, and publication bias analyses. The confidence interval of the overall effect is automatically based on the Knapp-Hartung adjustment of the DerSimonian-Laird estimator. However, more advanced meta-analysis methods such as meta-analytical structural equation modelling and meta-regression with multiple covariates are not available. In summary, Meta-Essentials may prove a valuable resource for meta-analysts, including researchers, teachers, and students.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)537-553
Number of pages17
JournalResearch Synthesis Methods
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • freeware
  • meta-analysis
  • Microsoft Excel
  • research synthesis
  • software
  • tool
  • PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
  • CONFIDENCE-INTERVALS
  • BUYER-SUPPLIER
  • SUPPLIER INTEGRATION
  • RELATIVE RISK
  • HETEROGENEITY
  • EFFECT SIZE
  • CLINICAL-TRIALS
  • COHORT

Cite this