Abstract:
Objective To introduce a meta-analysis method based on permutation test of linear models for small-sample meta-analysis.
Methods A Fleiss93cont example was used to introduce a SAS macro(%METAPERM2) for covariate analysis developed by Kromrey of the Southern University of Florida in USA. This small-sample dataset did not satisfy the assumptions such as normality, independence and homogeneity of variance.
Results The regression coefficient of generalized linear model was
X1 (age)=0.125,
X2 (area)=0.291. The results of the five regression weight test methods were: The traditional weighted least squares (WLS)
β1=0.000,
β2=0.338, Freedman Lane model
β1=0.228,
β2=0.180, Kennedy model
β1=0.472,
β2=0.557, Manly model
β1=0.064,
β2=0.040,Ter Braak model
β1=0.075,
β2=0.142.
Conclusions Based on the hypothesis of normality, independence and homogeneity of variance, the significance of the traditional WLS coefficient test was larger than that of any permutation test, and permutation test may be a more suitable statistical method for small-sample meta-analysis.