Dear all,

I am interested in finding meta analysis software that is easy to learn/use and cost effective and would work when collaborating with others as I wouldn’t want to be the sole MAC in a PC room even if my technology outperformed others integration may be an issue. I also don’t want to pay for bells and whistles I would likely never use. Meta analysis is useful to me for personal use to get a more objective  view of the evidence. I find that some researchers write literature reviews like a God but their methods and evidence need work. We learned meta analysis on a DOS based system at a basic level for the MSc. It was relatively easy to use but the tiny black on white  DOS screen was brutal http://www.researchmethodsarena.com/dstat-version-110-9781563211386

I have looked at Cochrane, it is free, they offer training and they seem to specialise in offering evidence http://ims.cochrane.org/revman

CMA, slick graphics,  fairly expensive http://www.meta-analysis.com/pages/why_use.html

There are also Macros that link from SPSS  Would they be useful? http://mason.gmu.edu/~dwilsonb/scrshots/screenshot2.html

There are others I have looked at which may be thorough and professional but I am more at where is the on button stage...I really appreciate your views on this. I have downloaded and shared the Catmanager software link from CEBM and the critical appraisal sheets plus the questionnaire links that Ash supplied were excellent and I have shared these also.  I have applied to an EBHC program but in the meantime is there a beginners site(s) the group could suggest where I could learn and become better prepared so I could give all my attention to assignments? I am not an MD. I want to learn EBM as because the communication styles and research emphasis differs there are  effective interventions that not practised because of low EBM standards and ineffective protocols which are readily accepted because they are well written.  It would be great to share reasoning for adoption in a logical way and learn what is required for my own projects...

Best regards

Amy

Amy Price

Http://empower2go.org

Building Brain Potential