An Illustration of the Consequences of Meta-Analysis Model Choice
通过模拟数据和两个已发表的元分析案例，展示了固定效应模型与随机效应模型的选择如何影响平均效应量和随机效应方差分量的估计，建议随机效应模型作为初始选择。
Fixed- and random-effects models represent two different approaches to analyzing and understanding data with meta-analysis. The current article describes the results of a two-part study to illustrate the effect of choice of meta-analytic model on study conclusions. Part 1 illustrates the effect of model choice by analyzing data simulated to conform to either fixed- or random-effects scenarios with both fixed- and random-effects methods of data analysis. Part 2 uses two published meta-analyses to show that methodological choices, in this case mainly the choice of fixed- or random-effects models, affect estimates both of mean effect size and of the random-effects variance component (REVC). Overall, results suggest that random-effects procedures represent the best initial choice when conducting a meta-analysis.