A viable approach to addressing the quality of primary studies included in a meta-analysis is which of the following?
A) Ignoring the problem of quality by using all studies regardless of rigor
B) Doing sensitivity analyses to assess if the effects change when low-quality studies are included.
C) Using a random effects model rather than a fixed effects model.
D) Using a forest plot to assess the degree to which study quality is related to effect size.
B
Feedback:
Quality assessments (which may involve formal quantitative ratings of methodologic rigor) are sometimes used to exclude weak studies from reviews, but they can also be used to differentially weight studies or in sensitivity analyses to determine if including or excluding weaker studies changes conclusions.
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