DECoMA is the abbreviation for Data Estimation and Conversion for Meta-Analysis, which is an Excel-based tool for estimating sample mean and standard deviation (SD).This tool is a freely available Microsoft Office Excel file with Excel-macros, and it is developed by methodology team members in the Cochrane Taiwan and Wan Fang Hospital. Current version consists of 10 common scenarios with solutions for finding mean or SD for meta-analysis. First five scenarios can be used when you have descriptive statistics of a research group. Rest five scenarios can be used when you have effect estimates with other statistics of two group comparison.
To confirm the appropriateness of the senarios and formula, task force of the DECoMA have sent it for external review by an academic journal (under review). The task force is willing to receive feedback from users, and could send users email if there is any update for DECoMA. You can complete a brief application form for the DECoMA. Once the form is submitted, you will get a link the DECoMA.
https://forms.gle/Ym7gJ6JeoH9hjCJa7
Citation:
AMA
Chi KY, Li MY, Chen C, Kang E; Cochrane Taiwan. Ten circumstances and solutions for finding the sample mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2023;12(1):62. Published 2023 Apr 1. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02217-1
APA
Chi, K. Y., Li, M. Y., Chen, C., Kang, E., & Cochrane Taiwan (2023). Ten circumstances and solutions for finding the sample mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis. Systematic reviews, 12(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02217-1
MLA
Chi, Kuan-Yu et al. “Ten circumstances and solutions for finding the sample mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis.” Systematic reviews vol. 12,1 62. 1 Apr. 2023, doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02217-1
NLM
Chi KY, Li MY, Chen C, Kang E; Cochrane Taiwan. Ten circumstances and solutions for finding the sample mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2023 Apr 1;12(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s13643-023-02217-1. PMID: 37005690; PMCID: PMC10068165.
Sincerely
Task force of the DECoMA
Cochrane Taiwan