Title |
Meta-analyses and Forest plots using a microsoft excel spreadsheet: step-by-step guide focusing on descriptive data analysis
|
---|---|
Published in |
BMC Research Notes, January 2012
|
DOI | 10.1186/1756-0500-5-52 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Jeruza L Neyeloff, Sandra C Fuchs, Leila B Moreira |
Abstract |
Meta-analyses are necessary to synthesize data obtained from primary research, and in many situations reviews of observational studies are the only available alternative. General purpose statistical packages can meta-analyze data, but usually require external macros or coding. Commercial specialist software is available, but may be expensive and focused in a particular type of primary data. Most available softwares have limitations in dealing with descriptive data, and the graphical display of summary statistics such as incidence and prevalence is unsatisfactory. Analyses can be conducted using Microsoft Excel, but there was no previous guide available. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Japan | 4 | 19% |
Australia | 2 | 10% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 10% |
Colombia | 1 | 5% |
United States | 1 | 5% |
Sweden | 1 | 5% |
New Zealand | 1 | 5% |
Canada | 1 | 5% |
Unknown | 8 | 38% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 12 | 57% |
Scientists | 5 | 24% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 4 | 19% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 7 | <1% |
Denmark | 5 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 5 | <1% |
Brazil | 4 | <1% |
Canada | 4 | <1% |
Australia | 2 | <1% |
Spain | 2 | <1% |
Japan | 2 | <1% |
Netherlands | 1 | <1% |
Other | 7 | <1% |
Unknown | 779 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 133 | 16% |
Student > Master | 114 | 14% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 113 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 75 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 54 | 7% |
Other | 199 | 24% |
Unknown | 130 | 16% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 202 | 25% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 88 | 11% |
Psychology | 60 | 7% |
Social Sciences | 34 | 4% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 30 | 4% |
Other | 206 | 25% |
Unknown | 198 | 24% |