What is meta-analysis?

What is meta-analysis?

• A. A form of research using secondary data, combining results from many studies.
• B. A study design that collects fresh data in the field.
• C. A qualitative inquiry.
• D. A single controlled experiment.

Answer: (A)

Meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines results from multiple studies to estimate an overall effect. It uses secondary data—data that have already been collected and published—rather than gathering new information itself. By pooling effect sizes from many studies, it increases statistical power and helps determine whether a finding is consistent across different samples and settings. This fits the idea of a research approach that synthesizes existing evidence rather than conducting a single new experiment or collecting fresh field data. The other descriptions describe primary data collection, qualitative inquiry, or a single controlled experiment, which are not what meta-analysis involves.

Meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines results from multiple studies to estimate an overall effect. It uses secondary data—data that have already been collected and published—rather than gathering new information itself. By pooling effect sizes from many studies, it increases statistical power and helps determine whether a finding is consistent across different samples and settings. This fits the idea of a research approach that synthesizes existing evidence rather than conducting a single new experiment or collecting fresh field data. The other descriptions describe primary data collection, qualitative inquiry, or a single controlled experiment, which are not what meta-analysis involves.