Topics Selection and Methodological Issues of Meta-analysis in Chinese Sports Core Journals

Objective: To explore the topic selection and methodological issues in meta-analyses which published in Chinese sports core journals, and to provide recommendations for the improvement of research quality. Methods: Meta-analyses published in 16Chinese sports core journals were retrieved from the CNKI database. Based on the Cochrane Handbook and classic meta-analysis literature, this study discussed the topic selection issues and evaluated the methodological issues in the selected meta-analyses, the items including: 1) The presence of outliers(effect size>3); 2) conversion of standard errors to standard deviations; 3) consideration of within-study correlations; 4) oversight of within-study variances; 5) focus on within-study rather than between-study differences;6) extraction of only one effect size from multiple effect sizes in one study. Results: In terms of topic selection, 71.1% of Chinese meta-analysis research topics were similar to existing English meta-analysis, with 27.3% of them were nearly identical to their English counterparts. In terms of methodological problem, 82.2% of the studies had at least one methodological issues, which could potentially alter 43.8% of the meta-analyses results. Conclusions: The aim of meta-analyses should focus on the resolution of major research problems with practical significance. When performing a meta-analysis, researchers should carefully check the reporting form of original data and employ various effect models, analysis methods, combining strategies, meta-analysis software, and presentation methods, and collaborating with other researchers to ensure the stability of meta-analysis results. More importantly, the author need to detail and explain the analysis process in the methods section to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of the study.