Conducting a meta-analysis involves several key steps:
1. Formulating a research question: Identify the specific question or hypothesis. 2. Systematic literature search: Search for relevant studies in databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. 3. Data extraction: Extract data from selected studies, focusing on outcomes, sample sizes, and study quality. 4. Statistical analysis: Use statistical methods to combine results, often employing techniques like random-effects or fixed-effects models. 5. Interpretation: Analyze the aggregated data to draw conclusions.
