The impact of study size on meta-analyses: examination of underpowered studies in Cochrane reviews

Ref ID 545
First Author R. M. Turner
Journal PLOS ONE
Year Of Publishing 2013
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609745/pdf/pone.0059202.pdf
Keywords Cochrane
Power
General medical
Problem(s) Perpetuates citation of poor quality primary study data
Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews
Number of systematic reviews included 14886
Summary of Findings In 70% of CDSR meta-analyses, all studies had less than 50% power to detect a 30% relative risk reduction, and only 17% of meta-analyses included at least two studies with at least 50% power to detect a relative risk reduction of 30%.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? No
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? Yes