What is a meta-analysis?

A meta-analysis is indeed an approach to combine results from multiple studies. This method involves systematically gathering data from various studies that address a common research question or hypothesis. By integrating results, a meta-analysis can provide a more precise estimate of the effect size, strength of the relationships, or prevalence of an outcome than any single study alone.

The power of meta-analysis lies in its ability to synthesize findings across diverse populations and settings, thus enhancing the overall validity of conclusions drawn from the data. This aggregation can reveal patterns or effects that may not be evident in individual studies due to smaller sample sizes or varying methodologies.

In contrast, a comprehensive literature review, while valuable, does not quantitatively combine results; it summarizes existing research without statistical analysis. Testing individual cases focuses on specific instances rather than drawing broader conclusions from multiple studies. Evaluating a single study's results looks at the findings in isolation and does not provide the comparative perspective offered by a meta-analysis.