Meta Analysis Sensitivity Calculator
Meta-analysis sensitivity calculator is an essential tool for researchers to assess the power of their meta-analysis. It helps determine the minimum effect size that can be detected with a given sample size and significance level.
- Enter the number of studies (n).
- Enter the effect size.
- Enter the variance.
- Select the significance level (α).
- Click ‘Calculate’.
The calculator uses the formula for the power of a t-test to calculate the sensitivity of the meta-analysis:
Power = 1 - β = 1 - Φ((Z_α/2 - Z_β) / √(n * effect_size^2 + variance))
| Effect Size | Power (n=10) | Power (n=50) | Power (n=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.12 | 0.31 | 0.46 |
| 0.5 | 0.64 | 0.95 | 0.99 |
- Always ensure your sample size is large enough to detect meaningful effects.
- Consider using a more powerful test if the effect size is small.
What is the difference between power and sensitivity?
Power and sensitivity are often used interchangeably, but they refer to slightly different concepts. Power is the probability of detecting an effect when there is one, while sensitivity is the ability to correctly identify the presence of an effect.
For more information, see the Cohen’s d effect size calculator from the National Institutes of Health, or the power analysis guide from the University of California, Los Angeles.