meta-analyses as a service

What are meta-analyses and systematic reviews?

A systematic review summarizes the results and findings of independent scientific studies on a specific issue or research topic and evaluates them according to a defined scheme. A systematic overview is therefore a literature review on a specific topic that critically evaluates the validity of the study results. The aim is to provide a reliable overview of the current state of knowledge. The quality of the studies and the associated distortions of the results are taken into account.

In a meta-analysis, in addition to the above, a statistical analysis of the results of the various studies is performed and the individual study outcomes are thus combined to an overall outcome. This makes it possible to determine, for example, the presence and size of a particular effect in a statistically sound manner. The prerequisite for a meta-analysis is that the study results do not differ too much. However, if the between-study heterogeneity is too high, special statistical techniques can be applied or a subgroup analysis can be carried out. In the presence of many subgroups or factors, meta-regression methods are used.

In the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, QuoData applies various standards. In the biomedical field, for example, our work is carried out in accordance with the requirements and guidelines put forward in PRISMA, the Cochrane manuals for reviews or QUADAS and STARD. In addition, we ensure that systematic reviews and meta-analyses are registered in due time (i.e. before the work begins) in the relevant databases (e.g. PROSPERO).

Forest plots for AUC for the comparison (CR + PR) vs (SD + PD)

Research begins with a question. The formulation of precise questions is indispensable for the conduct of meta-analyses.

QuoData works hand in hand with its clients in order to ensure their concerns are addressed right from the word go. Our services:

• Search strategies for identifying thematically relevant publications (primary studies)
• Definition of eligibility criteria for studies
• Selection of relevant studies based on inclusion criteria
• Evaluation of study and data quality
• Data extraction
• Statistical evaluation of results, interpretation and conclusions
  • Computation of an overall outcome
  • Analysis of bias
  • Analysis of between-study heterogeneity
  • Subgroup analysis
  • Covariate analysis (meta-regression)
• Final report

Alongside the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, QuoData is also available to support you when it comes to publishing results including writing, editing and reviewing papers.

Our data scientists regularly contribute to the development of international standards (e.g. ISO standards) in statistics and biochemistry. We work together with major international organizations, such as:

• the US Food and Drug Administration,
• the Joint Research Center of the European Commission
• the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)
• the Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg (IBBL)
• the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN)

The heart of QuoData is advanced statistical methods. For meta-analyses and meta-regression, we go above and beyond the usual industry standards. This enables us to create graphics according to specified criteria or to perform calculations that meet special requirements.

QuoData can look back on over 20 years of experience in quality and statistics.