meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌme-tə-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 

: a quantitative statistical analysis of several separate but similar experiments or studies in order to test the pooled data for statistical significance

Examples of meta-analysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers reached this conclusion after conducting a meta-analysis of 20 earlier studies, published between 2008 and 2023, and involving more than 2,600 participants. —Joshua Korber Hoffman, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025

As a meta-analysis, the researchers noted that their report provides more reliable answers than a smaller, singular study. —Lauryn Higgins, Health, 23 Jan. 2025

The study was a meta-analysis in which researchers analyzed data from 30 studies and 14 databases with information on more than 19,000 people. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 16 Jan. 2025

According to four trials evaluated as part of a larger meta-analysis, taking omega-3 supplements was associated with a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with metabolic syndrome. —Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

meta-analysis

noun

meta-anal·​y·​sis ˌmet-ə-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs 

: quantitative statistical analysis that is applied to separate but similar experiments of different and usually independent researchers and that involves pooling the data and using the pooled data to test the effectiveness of the results

the report … on low cholesterol presented a comprehensive meta-analysis of 32 randomized studies involving 42,000 individuals

—Scientific American Medicine Bulletin