MetaAnaly: The platform-independent computational tool for meta-analysis in the paradigm of new statistics

Abstract

Meta-analysis is a statistical method used in systematic review to quantitatively integrate the results of multiple related studies to obtain a pooled result that can represent these studies. Meta-analysis overcomes the limitations of traditional reviews that only conduct qualitative research. In present study, I developed a platform-independent computational tool for meta-analysis. It is a comprehensive tool consisting of a full set of meta-analysis methodology, including the methods for fixed-effects model and random-effects model and the methods for heterogenetity testing in which the effect size tests based heterogeneity testing were proposed. Effect size tests of difference significance for post meta-analysis were also presented. The computational tool is a web browser based meta-analyzer that includes both online and offline versions and can be used on various computing devices (PCs, iPads, smartphones, etc.), operating systems (Windows, Mac, Android, Harmony, etc.) and web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc). It can be used in various sciences as medicine, biology, ecology, psychology, sociology, economy, physics and chemistry etc.

Keywords

• meta-analysis
• computational tool
• effect size
• estimator
• averaged estimator
• fixed-effects model
• random-effects model
• heterogeneity