Meta-Analysis Continuous: Inference

The Inference dialog provides settings for specifying the estimation methods for meta-analysis with continuous outcomes on raw data that are provided in the active dataset for the estimation of the effect size.

Note: The Inference dialog is available only when a Random-effects model is selected.
Estimator
Provides settings for specifying the estimator.
Notes:
  • When Trim and Fill settings are specified, also controls the estimator that is used by pooling in the trim-and-fill analysis.
  • When Bias settings are specified, also controls the estimator that is used by the regression-based test.
Restricted maximum likelihood (REML)
The default setting applies the iterative method and calculates the restricted maximum likelihood estimator.
Maximum likelihood (ML)
Applies the iterative method and calculates the maximum likelihood estimator.
Empirical Bayes
Applies the iterative method and calculates the empirical Bayes estimator.
Hedges
Applies the non-iterative method and calculates the Hedges estimator.
Hunter-Schmidt
Applies the non-iterative method and calculates the Hunter-Schmidt estimator.
DerSimonian-Laird
Applies the non-iterative method and calculates the DerSimonian-Laird estimator.
Sidik-Jonkman
Applies the non-iterative method and calculates the Sidik-Jonkman estimator.
Standard Error Adjustment
Provides settings that control whether to apply the Knapp-Hartung standard-error adjustment.
Notes:
  • When Trim and Fill settings are specified, also controls the standard error adjustment that is used by pooling in the trim-and-fill analysis.
  • When Bias settings are specified, also controls the standard error adjustment that is used by the regression-based test.
No adjustment
The default setting does not apply the adjustment.
Apply the Knapp-Hartung adjustment
Applies the Knapp-Hartung adjustment method.
Apply the truncated Knapp-Hartung adjustment
Applies the Knapp-Hartung adjustment method and truncates the value if less than 1 when estimating the variance-covariance matrix.

Defining Meta-Analysis Continuous inference settings

  1. From the menus choose:

    Analyze > Meta Analysis > Continuous Outcomes > Raw Data...

  2. In the Meta-Analysis Continuous dialog, click Inference.
  3. Select and define the appropriate inference settings.
  4. Click Continue.