meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌme-tə-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 

: a quantitative statistical analysis of several separate but similar experiments or studies in order to test the pooled data for statistical significance

Examples of meta-analysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some studies, such as a 2014 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggest wearing compression garments during a tough exercise session can decrease levels of creatine kinase, a marker of muscle damage. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024

In a meta-analysis, researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who supplemented with soluble fiber reduced:5 Hemoglobin A1c Fasting glucose levels Fasting insulin levels Insulin resistance 3. —Karina Tolentino, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024

Kojic acid on its own may also be an alternative treatment for melasma, according to a meta-analysis indicating that kojic acid alone can also improve melasma. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024

Here is a picture from a recent meta-analysis of data from large randomized trials of common cancer screening strategies. —Peter Ubel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌmet-ə-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs 

: quantitative statistical analysis that is applied to separate but similar experiments of different and usually independent researchers and that involves pooling the data and using the pooled data to test the effectiveness of the results

the report … on low cholesterol presented a comprehensive meta-analysis of 32 randomized studies involving 42,000 individuals

—Scientific American Medicine Bulletin