Library Guides: Nursing &amp; Health Innovations: Meta Analysis

What is a Meta Analysis?

Typical attributes of a Meta Analysis:

Authors conducted secondary statistical analyses on the outcomes of similar studies.
Authors used quantitative methods to synthesize and summarize the results.
Objective

Note: An article reporting on meta-analysis might also contain a systematic review.

How to Find Meta Analysis in CINAHL and MEDLINE: Subject Term

In CINAHL and MEDLINE, to find Meta Analysis articles, add the following subject terms to your search:

"Meta Analysis"

Change the drop-down menu to SU Subject Terms

How to Find Meta Analysis in CINAHL and MEDLINE: Publication Type

Alternatively, limit your search to the Publication type of Meta Analysis (in CINAHL and MEDLINE)

Identifying Meta-Analysis Articles

Here's an example of an article that has Meta Analysis as both a Minor Subject and as a Publication Type in the CINAHL database. For many citations, Meta Analysis may appear in either the Publication Type or the Minor Subject but not always both fields. Also note that articles may be described as more than one type of nursing literature (in this case: systematic review and meta analysis).