International Journal of Caring Sciences September-December 2018 Volume 11 | Issue 3| Page2001 Special Article Meta-Analysis Planning Related to Geriatric Health: Case Report Emine Ergin, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Public Health Nursing, Konya, Turkey. Correspondence: Emine ERG İN is Research Assistant, PhD Department of Public Health Nursing, Konya, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Meta-analysis provides new insights to help reveal the effect size of studies and to develop new social policies. Meta-analysis is frequently used to solve problems related to geriatric health. This research is often used when multiple and conflicting results of a problem are obtained from literature. Especially the meta-analyses that assess the effectiveness of the implemented initiatives increase the quality of care in elderly and contribute to the development of social policies. Meta-analysis, which is a part of systematic review, contains a number of difficulties for many researchers regarding planning and prediction. Since meta-analysis planning requires a dedicated effort, expertise and technique, there are various challenges that impede the progress of this process. This article examines the situations that are and may be encountered when a meta-analysis study is planned especially in the field of geriatric health. Furthermore, suggestions are made to assist meta-analysts in this pro- cess. Key Words: Nursing, meta analysis, case report, elderly health Introduction mixed models for analysis, discovering modera- tors’ possible confusing effects in the analysis The meta-analysis research is a different research and making analyzes and interpreting results, all method that includes approaches compatible with of which are associated with each other (Harris et other research syntheses. This approach involves al., 2009; Terri, 2012). embodying the identification, analysis and syn- thesis of quantitative data obtained from previous Meta-analyzes constitute the top-level when studies with a scientific point of view. Clarifying studies which are carried out in accordance with the effect magnitude of meta-analyses and de- an evidence pyramid are ranked in terms of evi- termining new effect magnitude values contrib- dence value. There is a greater need for meta- ute to the provision of different approaches to analyzes in the field of nursing. Especially the develop social policies (Dincer, 2014; Littell et meta-analyses that assess the effectiveness of the al., 2014). Most researchers focus on the synthe- implemented initiatives increase the quality of sis of strong evidence with a focused question care and contribute to the development of social and comprehensive screening rather than on policies. Nursing interventions are based on sci- weak evidence as systematic review and meta- entific knowledge; therefore, nurses use their analysis researches rapidly develop (Petticrew, professionalism in the direction of this infor- 2015). Meta-analyzes contain difficulties in mation during the decision-making process. The planning and predicting for many researchers. A research of meta-analysis has been used by nurs- meta-analysis has several stages including plan- ing sciences in recent years and there is a need ning and implementation. Meta-analyzes consist for more meta-analysis work in this field (Cui et of different steps; deciding what information al., 2018; Kojima, 2018; Shin et al., 2015). should be extracted from studies for use in meta- The systematic review process in meta-analysis analysis, choosing between fixed, random, or www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org International Journal of Caring Sciences September-December 2018 Volume 11 | Issue 3| Page2002 is similar to the research process. These process- the challenges faced when planning a meta- es include identifying the problem, selecting the analysis study, especially in the area of geriatric sample, collecting, analyzing and interpreting the health, and presents recommendations to meta- data and presenting results (Higgins et al., 2003; analysists in this process. The article is based on Terri, 2012). Meta-analysis provides an efficient a case study of experiences during the planning way to summarize the results of a large number of a meta-analysis study. In addition to reviewing of studies and to reveal previously unrelated secondary sources, this study employed onsite relationships. There are certain standards for participant observation and in-depth semi- meta-analyzes but the current standards vary in structured interviews, which are primary data quality. Carefully conducted meta-analyzes can collection methods. The systematic review offer up-to-date transparency in the presentation process in the meta-analysis is similar to the of research findings. Discipline and transparency research process (Dias et al., 2018). These provide the least amount of bias (Higgins et al., processes include identifying the problem, 2003; Littell et al., 2014). The main advantages selecting the sample, collecting, analyzing and of meta-analysis are as follows (Hunter & interpreting the data and presenting results. Ph.D. Schmidt, 2014): students and academics can use this research to help all professionals working in their field by • Better estimation of parameters making significant contributions to knowledge. • Evaluation of results in multiple areas Case • Minimizing error and bias. In this study, a student writing her Ph.D. thesis The most frequent criticisms of meta-analysis are using meta-analysis on geriatric health was due to faulty application techniques. Many selected as a case. The strategies, challenges and erroneous meta-analyzes published in different methods of coping in this process as well as areas such as health, education, or psychology recommendations to researchers were presented. are based on faulty techniques or sources known Applied Strategies to be biased. In this case, while meta-analyzes have the potential to provide useful information, After deciding to perform a meta-analysis, it can also produce false and misleading priority issues and solutions globally as well as information (Katerndahl & Cohen, 1987; Littell in Turkey in terms of geriatric population were et al., 2014). evaluated. In the meta-analysis planning phase, the research topic was determined first, then an Meta-analysis is frequently used to solve investigation was carried out as to whether a problems related to geriatric health (Gray et al., meta-analysis was done in the last 10 years. 2017; Holvast et al., 2017). This research is often Because if an up-to-date meta-analysis has been used when multiple and conflicting results of a done then different aspects of the problem must problem are obtained from literature. More be investigated. Following this a conceptual efficient results can be obtained from traditional framework was designed (Holvast et al., 2017). systematic oversight and meta-analysis if Researching if there were a sufficient number of researchers are to synthesize different kinds of studies on the priority health concerns of the evidence. Meta-analysis reveals new insights in elderly population globally and in Turkey revealing the magnitude of the impacts of (falling, physical health, mental health, etc.) was research and the development of new social required before doing a meta-analysis. The policies. Meta-analyses, as part of systematic presence of studies with sufficient quantity and reviews, present difficulties in planning and quality makes it more likely for these studies to predicting for many researchers. Meta-analysis be included in meta-analysis, and they improve planning requires a determined effort and the quality of meta-analysis as well. The expertise and technique (Dias et al., 2018; [Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome Gurevitch et al., 2018). Thus, there are various (PICO)] formulation was used in this study when challenges prevent this process from progressing. creating the research question (Van Loveren Meta-analyses are increasingly needed in nursing &Aartman IH, 2007). and other sciences because the importance of evidence-based applications is increasing, Benefited MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) however there are difficulties in practice terms for selection of key words. Databases (Nquyen & Singh, 2018). This article examines (Pubmed, Cınahl, Medline vb.) that are widely www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org International Journal of Caring Sciences September-December 2018 Volume 11 | Issue 3| Page2003 used in the world to related to their field by Cochrane Colloboration, will make meta- identified (Nelson et al., 2001). Scanning was analysis more convenient for researchers started within the framework of key words and (Armijo-Olivo et al., 2012; Moher et al., 2015). inclusion criteria determined using resources Discussion such as libraries. The first stage of this systematic review involved the evaluation of Determining the conceptual framework was titles, abstracts and eligibility of studies. In the determined to be the most prominent challenge second stage, full text of the papers was encountered especially with the bias and quality independently assessed by two independent assessment. The study characteristics, the risk of observers to confirm their eligibility. Two bias in the included studies, the types of independent observers who have worked on intervention, and the methods used to assess the research and elderly health ensured the reliability effects of the intervention were examined. of the coding. Coding protocol including