Statistical Heterogeneity in Oral Health Meta-Analyses.

ABSTRACT: Providing the summary effect size and its uncertainty, a prediction interval, and a measure of statistical heterogeneity constitute good reporting practices in meta-analyses. Popular statistical heterogeneity measures comprise the τ² and I² statistics. However, researchers often rely unduly on the I² statistic, using naive categorizations to gauge the extent of heterogeneity, leading to misuses of the meta-analysis models, deficiencies in reporting, and misleading conclusions. The present study aimed to provide empirical evidence on the reporting and interpretation of statistical heterogeneity in systematic reviews of oral health published between 2021 and 2023 in 21 leading specialty and general dental journals. Systematic reviews with

SUBMITTER: Tatas Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12000623 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature