E-PICOS Meta Module

The E-PICOS Meta Module is a research-grade evidence synthesis platform -- a complete toolkit for performing meta-analysis from start to finish. It brings together pooling, heterogeneity, publication-bias testing, subgroup analysis, meta-regression, network meta-analysis, visualisations, and effect-size transformations in one integrated workflow.

The six sections

Section	What it does
Main Analysis	Pairwise meta-analysis -- pool effect sizes from two-arm studies across 15 outcome types. Returns forest plots, heterogeneity statistics, publication-bias tests, and sensitivity analyses
Subgroup Analysis	Split your meta-analysis by study characteristics, with formal tests for subgroup differences (Q-between statistic)
Meta Regression	Model how continuous and categorical covariates influence effect sizes -- regression coefficients, R-squared, and bubble plots
Network Meta-Analysis	Compare multiple treatments simultaneously -- treatment rankings (SUCRA / P-scores), league tables, and network geometry plots
Visualization Tools	Standalone plotting and reporting tools -- Forest Plot Maker, Funnel Plot Analyzer, Risk-of-Bias Visualizer, GRADE Table Generator, Network Plot Maker, Flowchart Maker
Transformation Tools	23 conversion utilities for harmonising data across studies -- summary statistics, effect-size conversions, correlation transforms, SMD families, diagnostic-test conversions, 2x2-table reconstructions

Supported outcome types (Main Analysis)

Continuous	Dichotomous	Time-to-event	Other
Mean Difference (MD)	Odds Ratio (OR)	Hazard Ratio (HR)	Single Mean
Standardized Mean Difference (SMD)	Peto Odds Ratio	Incidence Rate Ratio	Correlation Coefficient
Paired Means (within-subject)	Risk Ratio (RR)		Proportions / Prevalence
	Risk Difference (RD)		Generic Inverse Variance
			AUC-ROC
			Diagnostic Test Accuracy (bivariate)

The analytical workflow

Choose effect measure  ->  Enter study data  ->  Run analysis
        |                       |                     |
   (15 types)           (per-outcome inputs)   (fixed + random effects,
                                                Q/I-squared/tau-squared,
                                                publication bias)
        |
   View results: forest plot, funnel plot, statistics
        |
   Refine: subgroup analysis, meta-regression
        |
   Report: visualisations, GRADE table, PRISMA flow

What you can do

Task	Where
Run a standard pairwise meta-analysis	Main Analysis
Test whether subgroups differ	Subgroup Analysis
Examine how covariates explain heterogeneity	Meta Regression
Compare three or more treatments	Network Meta-Analysis
Build a publication-ready forest plot	Forest Plot Maker
Assess publication bias	Main Analysis + Funnel Plot Analyzer
Build a Risk-of-Bias summary	Risk of Bias Visualizer
Build a GRADE evidence profile	GRADE Table Generator
Draw a PRISMA flow diagram	Flowchart Maker (PRISMA template)
Convert a median + IQR to mean + SD	Transformation Tools
Convert an OR to RR	Transformation Tools

Who the module is for

Audience	Typical use
Systematic reviewers	Meta-analysis at the end of a systematic review
Cochrane-style review teams	Pairwise pooling, subgroup analysis, GRADE tables, RoB summaries
HTA and guideline developers	Network meta-analysis with treatment rankings and league tables
Methodologists	Meta-regression and publication-bias testing
Students	Complete teaching environment with full analytic and visual workflow

Access

State	What happens
Not signed in	Landing page with sign-in prompt
Signed in, no module access	Landing page shown; module access must be active
Signed in, with active access	Six-section workflow available

Access is managed through your e-picos account and subscription.