Researchers can perform this key in of study when there have been previous studies looking at the same question.

Meta-analysis is useful when there have been many previous studies on the same topic or asking the same question.

This article discusses when meta-analysis might be used and why its important.

Teacher examining papers against blank whiteboard in classroom

Maskot / Getty Images

It also covers some advantages and disadvantages of using meta-analysis in psychology research.

What Is Meta-Analysis?

Meta-analysis is used inpsychology, medicine, and other fields.

A meta-analysis is helpful because it’s designed to summarize all the research information on a subject.

There are a few general principles that a meta-analysis follows:

Why Is Meta-Analysis Important?

Benefits of a Meta-Analysis

Meta-analyses offer many advantages over individual studies.

A meta-analysis also reduces the amount of work required to research a topic for other researchers and policymakers.

Taken alone, such results would imply that students should avoid sugar consumption before taking an exam.

Cochrane Library.Chapter 10: Analysing data and undertaking meta-analyses.

American Psychological Association.Introduction to meta-analysis: a guide for the novice.

2022;91:159-167. doi: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2021.11.007

Cochrane.When not to use meta-analysis in a review.

Association for Psychological Science.Meta-analysis helps psychologists build knowledge.

Mikolajewicz N, Komarova SV.Meta-analytic methodology for basic research: a practical guide.Front Physiol.

2023;10(7).