The fifth edition of the book Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Concepts, Applications, and statistics has been released by the authors in collaboration with Cochrane Iran, and with the endorsement of the Iranian Epidemiological Association (IrEA). This extensively revised and updated edition reaffirms the book’s position as an authoritative educational resource in the field. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Health as a reference textbook for PhD programs in Epidemiology, the book is now available to the academic community and health research professionals.
Compared to previous editions, the new release features substantial structural and content enhancements. The book has expanded from 13 to 17 chapters, and from 280 to 372 pages. In addition to introducing several new specialized chapters, all existing sections have been thoroughly revised and updated with recent references and enhanced scientific discussions—making this edition a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for researchers and students alike.
Key Features of the Fifth Edition:
Step-by-step guidance on designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Practical instructions for developing effective literature search strategies
Training in the use of STATA software for performing meta-analyses
Introduction to advance topics, including diagnostic tests, network, dose–response, individual participant data (IPD), and multivariate meta-analyses
Evaluation of evidence quality ranking using the GRADE approach and sensitivity analysis
In-depth discussion of special topics such as publication bias, statistical heterogeneity, and methodological limitations of meta-analyses
Target Audience
This book is intended for PhD students in Epidemiology, health researchers, instructors of research methodology, and anyone interested in evidence-based research. Even readers with limited statistical background will find it accessible, gaining a practical and applied understanding of the concepts of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.