Quality assessments can be made, the researcher is introduced to the latest research on the subject, and it enables him or her not to waste her time on repeat searches that will bring up irrelevant results.

Similar to a literature review but often more intense and broad, the meta-analysis differs from the literature review in that it highlights correlations and links between studies can critically assesses studies that it observes are invalid or that contribute inadequately to the subject.

Disadvantages, on the other hand, include the fact that bias and author's subjectivity selects studies therefore skewing results. Bias, for instance, may exist in terms of publication source, therefore omitting many other desirable sources from inclusion. Similarly, too, thesis or dissertations may be excluded even though they may be valuable to the theme. The researchers are faced with a quandary: including even one faulty study that can place the whole meta-analysis...
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