What is "meta-analysis" in the context of EBP?

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to identify patterns, strengths, or overall effects across a body of research. This method is often employed in evidence-based practice (EBP) to enhance the clarity and reliability of findings by aggregating data, which can lead to a more robust conclusion than individual studies might suggest. By pooling resources, meta-analysis increases the sample size and improves the statistical power of the results, providing a clearer picture of the effectiveness of interventions or the relationships between variables.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of meta-analysis. A review of qualitative studies involves synthesizing non-numerical data and interpreting themes, which is significantly different from the quantitative approach of meta-analysis. Evaluating cost-effectiveness looks at the economic implications of interventions and does not inherently involve statistical combination of study results. Summarizing single case studies focuses on individual instances rather than integrating findings across multiple studies, which is central to the concept of meta-analysis.