| name | evidence-synthesis-planning |
| description | Plan the statistical synthesis approach — model selection, heterogeneity strategy, and reporting |
| execution | tactic |
| used-by | meta-analysis |
Evidence Synthesis Planning Tactic
Plan the complete statistical synthesis approach: effect size standardization, model selection, heterogeneity quantification, sensitivity analyses, and PRISMA-compliant reporting.
Stages
Stage 1: Effect Size Type Determination
Determine the appropriate effect size metric for the synthesis.
| Outcome Type | Effect Size | When |
|---|
| Continuous (same scale) | Mean Difference (MD) | All studies use same measurement |
| Continuous (different scales) | Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) | Studies use different instruments |
| Binary | Odds Ratio (OR) / Risk Ratio (RR) | Dichotomous outcomes |
| Time-to-event | Hazard Ratio (HR) | Survival data |
| Correlation | Fisher's z (transformed r) | Association studies |
| Count/rate | Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) | Event rate data |
SOPs: effect-size-planning
Stage 2: Model Selection
Choose between fixed-effect and random-effects models.
- Fixed-effect (Mantel-Haenszel, Inverse Variance): assumes one true effect, studies estimate same parameter
- Random-effects (DerSimonian-Laird, REML, Paule-Mandel, Knapp-Hartung): assumes distribution of true effects
- Decision criteria: clinical/methodological diversity, number of studies, intended inference scope
- Knapp-Hartung adjustment: recommended when k < 20 studies
Decision tree: If studies are clinically homogeneous AND methodologically identical → fixed-effect. Otherwise → random-effects with REML + Knapp-Hartung.
Stage 3: Heterogeneity Strategy
Plan heterogeneity quantification and investigation.
- Quantification: I2 (proportion), tau2 (absolute), H2, prediction interval
- Testing: Cochran's Q (detection), confidence intervals for I2
- Investigation: pre-specified subgroups, meta-regression (if k >= 10)
- Thresholds: I2 interpretation (0-40% low, 30-60% moderate, 50-90% substantial, 75-100% considerable)
SOPs: heterogeneity-source-analysis
Stage 4: Sensitivity Design
Design robustness checks for the primary analysis.
- Leave-one-out analysis (influence of individual studies)
- Influence diagnostics (Cook's distance, DFFITS, hat values)
- Subgroup analyses (pre-specified moderators only)
- Alternative model (fixed vs random comparison)
- Alternative effect size (OR vs RR, SMD vs MD)
- Excluding high risk-of-bias studies
SOPs: sensitivity-analysis-design
Stage 5: Reporting Plan
Design PRISMA-2020 compliant reporting.
- PRISMA flow diagram (identification, screening, eligibility, inclusion)
- Forest plot specifications (study labels, weights, diamonds)
- Summary of findings table (GRADE certainty)
- Heterogeneity reporting (I2, tau2, prediction interval)
- Sensitivity analysis presentation
- Protocol registration (PROSPERO)
Minimum Yield
Per execution of this tactic:
- Effect size type justified and documented
- Model selection with explicit rationale
- Heterogeneity quantification plan complete
- At least 3 sensitivity analyses designed
- PRISMA reporting checklist addressed
Output Format
synthesis_plan:
effect_size:
type: [SMD/OR/RR/MD/HR/z]
justification: [why this metric]
conversions_needed: [any transformations]
model:
type: [fixed-effect/random-effects]
estimator: [IV/MH/REML/DL/PM]
adjustment: [Knapp-Hartung/none]
justification: [rationale]
heterogeneity:
metrics: [I2, tau2, Q, prediction interval]
investigation:
subgroups: [list of categorical moderators]
meta_regression: [list of continuous moderators]
minimum_k_per_subgroup: [threshold]
sensitivity:
- leave_one_out
- influence_diagnostics
- alternative_model
- rob_exclusion
- [additional pre-specified]
reporting:
standard: PRISMA-2020
registration: [PROSPERO ID or plan]
grade_domains: [risk_of_bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, publication_bias]
