392,269 papers found

The paper contributes to the discussion on the usefulness of meta-analysis as compared to large scale trial. After reviewing the issues to consider when comparing the results of a meta-analysis and of a large trial, several examples, in particular in thoracic oncology, of complementary uses of meta-analysis and large t…

For meta-analyses of observational epidemiology studies, unadjusted and adjusted study estimates are often extracted. However, there is evidence of selective reporting of adjusted study estimates. We investigate adjustment reporting bias, examining the reasons why some studies do not contribute an adjusted estimate to…

This article reviews epidemiologic studies and basic researches concerning the mechanical risk factors that cause overload in implant occlusion. When natural teeth are adjacent to an implant, occlusal contact on the implant prosthesis requires a reduced initial mechanical load on the implant. This is called the implant…

Four types of analysis are commonly applied to data from structured Rater x Ratee designs. These types are characterized by the unit of analysis, which is either raters or ratees, and by the design used, which is either between-units or within-unit design. The 4 types of analysis are quite different, and therefore they…

This is a review of the basic concepts of evidence, medicine, evidence-based medicine and its effects. Evidence-based medicine is a contribution for statistical design and management, that allows the gathering of scientific information, but does not completely exclude bias. Its methodology proceeds with order and cauti…

Nearly one in every thirteen children has asthma, making it the most common chronic condition in childhood. For a variety of biological and environmental reasons, the prevalence of childhood asthma has risen dramatically in the past 20 years, with disproportionate effects on low-income populations, minorities, and chil…

This article reviews research on the implementation of media-rating systems, parents' use and evaluation of them, and the impact of ratings on children. Although half or more of parents report using media-rating systems, understanding of various components of the systems is low, particularly for television ratings. A m…

Evidence-based medicine aims to identify, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence in making decisions about the care of patients. These aims are similar to those which conscientious clinicians have always tried to achieve. An evidence-based approach applies a systematic and rigorous methodology to thi…

By "prolonged thromboprophylaxis" is usually meant around 30 days postoperatively. This modality using low molecular heparin in patients undergoing total hip replacement has been shown to be effective as regards incidence of both phlebographically detected deep vein thrombosis and--in meta-analysis--clinical venous thr…

Throughout the educational, medical, psychological, and social sciences, meta-analysis is the present-day, broadly accepted means for combining many quasi-experiments in a synthesis for the purpose of establishing the weight of scientific evidence bearing on a certain research question. Meta-analysis thereby is the pre…

This article addresses one of the perennial problems of pilot selection research: obtaining an adequate sample size for reliable statistical analysis of predictive validity. Results from three studies involving the same computerized tests of instrument comprehension and psychomotor ability were combined in a meta-analy…

In contrast to traditional narrative reviews, systematic reviews are true hypothesis-driven research. Meta-analysis is a form of systematic review in which studies are selected and combined by use of a predefined protocol to reduce bias and subjectivity. A sensitivity analysis shows how results vary through the use of…

A quantitative research method for aggregating findings from empirical research, meta-analysis is useful for systematically integrating findings gleaned from individual studies. Meta-analysis goes beyond the mere summarization and critique of research findings, to conducting statistical analyses on the outcomes of simi…

There are currently several classical and Bayesian methods of meta-analysis available for combining epidemiological results. We describe and compare these in a consistent framework, and apply them to published studies of the relative risk of lung cancer associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the wor…

There are three possible levels of analysis in clinical research. Primary analysis deals with the original analysis of research study data. Secondary analysis is a reanalysis of the original data, either to address the original question through better techniques or to address a new question using old data. Meta-analysi…

Hand and computer searches located studies on the effects of relaxation techniques on trait anxiety. Effect sizes for the different treatments (e.g., Progressive Relaxation, EMG Biofeedback, various forms of meditation, etc.) were calculated. Most of the treatments produced similar effect sizes except that Transcendent…

The generalizability of the apparent decreased risk of miscarriage and perinatal mortality associated with early pregnancy nausea and vomiting was investigated by examining data available from 11 previous studies. Statistical reanalyses of these studies indicated a strong significant association of nausea and vomiting…

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents and their biosimilars for people with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and provide a relative ranking of…

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of fixed-dose dual inhalers (i.e. LABA/LAMA versus ICS/LABA) and combination therapies versus LABA or LAMA monotherapy in individuals with moderate to very severe COPD, using network met…