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Comparative Study
. 2017 Dec;8(4):537-553.
doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1260. Epub 2017 Sep 29.

Introduction, comparison, and validation of Meta-Essentials: A free and simple tool for meta-analysis

Robert Suurmond  1 , Henk van Rhee  1 , Tony Hak  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Introduction, comparison, and validation of Meta-Essentials: A free and simple tool for meta-analysis

Robert Suurmond et al. Res Synth Methods. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

We present a new tool for meta-analysis, Meta-Essentials, which is free of charge and easy to use. In this paper, we introduce the tool and compare its features to other tools for meta-analysis. We also provide detailed information on the validation of the tool. Although free of charge and simple, Meta-Essentials automatically calculates effect sizes from a wide range of statistics and can be used for a wide range of meta-analysis applications, including subgroup analysis, moderator analysis, and publication bias analyses. The confidence interval of the overall effect is automatically based on the Knapp-Hartung adjustment of the DerSimonian-Laird estimator. However, more advanced meta-analysis methods such as meta-analytical structural equation modelling and meta-regression with multiple covariates are not available. In summary, Meta-Essentials may prove a valuable resource for meta-analysts, including researchers, teachers, and students.

Keywords: Microsoft Excel; freeware; meta-analysis; research synthesis; software; tool.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Forest plot in Meta‐Essentials [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A1
Figure A1
Choose the appropriate workbook [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A2
Figure A2
Insert the data [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A3
Figure A3
Set calculations to manual and use calculate now [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A4
Figure A4
Results of a basic meta‐analysis [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A5
Figure A5
Hide and reveal tables or figures in the subgroup analysis tab [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A6
Figure A6
Results of a subgroup analysis [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A7
Figure A7
Results of a moderator analysis [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure A8
Figure A8
Results of a publication bias analysis using the funnel plot [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Borenstein M, Hedges LV, Higgins JPT, Rothstein HR. Introduction to Meta‐Analysis. Ltd, Chichester, UK, UK: John Wiley & Sons; 2009.
    1. Glass GV. Primary, secondary, and meta‐analysis of research. Educ Res. 1976;5:3‐8.
    1. van Rhee H, Suurmond R, Hak T. User manual for Meta‐Essentials: Workbooks for meta‐analyses, Erasmus Research Institute of Management. The Netherlands: Rotterdam; 2015.
    1. Hak T, van Rhee H, Suurmond R, 2016. How to interpret results of meta‐analysis, Erasmus Research Institute of Management. Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
    1. Ellis PD. The Essential Guide to Effect Sizes. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 2010.

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