To assess descriptive statistics for numbers of meta-analyses, numbers of component studies and sample sizes of component studies in Cochrane reviews published in 2008.
Level of Investigation
Descriptive
Summary of Findings
The median number of studies included in the meta-analyses with at least two studies was three (interquartile range 2 to 6). Sample sizes of individual studies ranged from 2 to 1,242,071, with a median of 91
participants.)
Number of systematic reviews included
2321
Number of eligible systematic reviews assessed
3385
Treatment impacted
No
Treatment impacted description
Interpretation impacted
Not Applicable
Interpretation impacted description
Does the article have a publicly available protocol?
No
Did the review team include both methodological and clinical experts?
Not Applicable
Sampling strategy for obtaining the systematic reviews under assessment
Consecutive
Was the sample size of systematic reviews subject to any formal sample size or power calculation?
No
Were any or all of the study selection and data extraction performed in duplicate?
No
Were any statistical adjustments made to correct for confounding?
Not Applicable
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study?
