Table 1.
General method of medical studies meta-analysis
| 1. Identify relevant research: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRALa |
| 2. Check between-study heterogeneity: Cochran Q test, I2 |
| 3. Meta-analysis: fixed/random effect model, Forrest plot |
| 4. Evaluate sources of the heterogeneity: subgroup analysis, sensitivity test, meta-regression |
| 5. Check publication bias: funnel plot, Egger’s regression test, trim and fill method |
| 6. Present meta-analysis result based on PRISMAb |
a
CENTRAL: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
b
PRISMA: preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.