Sample size, mean and standard deviation are necessary when conducting meta-analysis for continuous outcomes. Advanced methods of data extraction were needed if the mean and the standard deviation couldn’t be obtained from a literature directly. Eight methods were introduced and two examples were given to illustrate how to apply the methods.
Receiving the amount of true positives, false positives, false negatives and true negatives is necessary when conducting meta-analysis of diagnostic tests. Advanced methods of data extraction are required if these data could not be directly obtained from a literature. We introduced three methods and discussed the theories. An example was then given to illustrate how to apply the methods.