metaanalysislike

metanalysislike is a term used to describe studies or analyses that borrow principles or methodologies from meta-analysis but are not true meta-analyses themselves. These could include systematic reviews that do not perform statistical pooling of results, or analyses that combine data from multiple sources without adhering to the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria or the rigorous statistical methods of a formal meta-analysis. The term suggests an approach that aims for the broadness of combining evidence, but may lack the quantitative synthesis or the comprehensive search strategy characteristic of a meta-analysis. Such "metaanalysislike" efforts might be undertaken when data are too heterogeneous for statistical pooling, or when the research question is more exploratory. They can still be valuable for summarizing existing literature and identifying trends, but their conclusions may warrant a more cautious interpretation compared to those derived from a formal meta-analysis. The distinction is important for understanding the strength of evidence presented and for guiding future research design.