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This is posted to   "sci.stat.consult"   and   "medlib-l"  and 
"bit.listserv.asis-l"


I've done some work with medical meta-analysis ("M-A") studies, where
my job is to perform the literature search (usually rather vast &
comprehensive & intentionally overbroad).   Then I do some
post-processing of the results, such that references are in a database
program.  I also get involved with filtering these results (determining
which studies gotten from the literature search are likely to be
subjected to M-A techniques...)

Sometimes, when I read the METHODS sections of published meta-analysis
research (in any field), I'm disappointed by what I consider to be
cursory or inadequate descriptions of the literature search which
precedes the statistical work.   ("We searched MEDLINE..." just doesn't
say nearly enough to me!)

Working with these projects is interesting -- indeed exciting -- and
when I've been a part of an M-A team I have taken my role very
seriously.  I don't understand the statistics work; I do understand
medical literature searching and the library support-issues involved in
large M-A projects.  

My questions:

==> Is a published meta-analysis paper to be considered adequate if it
gives an inadequate explanation of the literature search (the
resources, the techniques, strategies, dates & files & details galore)
...?

==> Without an adequate & detailed description of the search, a M-A
study would not be repeatable/verifiable, etc.    Is that important ...
?

==> Without an adequate & detailed description of the search, can peers
really competently review a M-A study?  Wouldn't they be limited to
critiquing statistical methods ... ?

==> Is it not true that the SELECTION of which studies to submit to M-A
techniques is important?  Doesn't the selection process begin with the
literature search itself?  (I can easily NOT GET lots of stuff...)  If
that process if faulty, does it spell doom for the subsequent work?


THANKS to anyone for responses, information, answers, definitions,
referral, etc.


Tom Mead

(Reference Librarian, Biomedical Libraries, Dartmouth College)


tom.mead@dartmouth.edu