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AuthorAbdulmajeed, Jazeel
AuthorPateras, Konstantinos
AuthorKostoulas, Polychronis
AuthorDoi, Suhail A R
Available date2024-04-28T11:12:16Z
Publication Date2024-03
Publication NameJBI evidence synthesis
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-23-00460
CitationAbdulmajeed, J., Pateras, K., Kostoulas, P., & Doi, S. A. (2024). Determining the conclusiveness of a meta-analysis. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 22(3), 406-412.
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/54343
AbstractThe pursuit of conclusive evidence related to an unanswered foreground (decision-making) question has been the driving factor behind multiple ongoing and planned randomized controlled trials as well as meta-analyses. However, a fundamental challenge lies in establishing robust methods for ascertaining whether a collection of synthesized trials has yielded a definitive answer to that foreground question through the process of meta-analysis. This article explores the evolution of methods that attempt to address this challenge. These methods have primarily focused on defining and measuring the sufficiency and stability of evidence within a meta-analytic context. Cumulative meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis are the tools currently used, but they both come with limitations and challenges. We further discuss methods aimed at evaluating the evolution of effects over time more directly, such as the recursive cumulative meta-analysis. The latter method can be considered a better alternative, as it serves to demonstrate whether there is a true underlying treatment effect to which the meta-analysis is converging. However, recursive cumulative meta-analysis falls short of a specific indicator that establishes whether convergence has been reached. We coin the term exit for a meta-analysis where convergence can be demonstrated. Developing methods to determine the exit status of a meta-analysis is the next priority in research synthesis methods, as it will indicate that the research journey has concluded on a particular foreground question with no expectation of a different result with the addition of future trials.
SponsorThis work was made possible by Program Grant #NPRP-BSRA01-0406-210030 from the Qatar National Research Fund.
Languageen
PublisherWolters Kluwer Health
Subjectconclusiveness
cumulative meta-analysis
exit meta-analysis
meta-analysis
research waste
TitleDetermining the conclusiveness of a meta-analysis.
TypeArticle
Pagination406-412
Issue Number3
Volume Number22
ESSN2689-8381
dc.accessType Abstract Only


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