Using R Programming to Conduct a Multivariate Meta-analysis with Dental Data: A Tutorial

Abstract

This manuscript presented as a guide on utilizing R program for conducting a multivariate meta-analysis (MMA) of dental data. R software has been extensively employed for meta-analysis tasks, and specific packages like metaSEM extend its capabilities to analyze MMA in health-related contexts and beyond. However, newcomers to both R and MMA might encounter challenges, given the complex nature of these analyses. Moreover, our literature review revealed a scarcity of learning resources focused on employing R for MMA, indicating a significant gap in the literature. To address this gap, we developed this tutorial paper to provide a comprehensive overview of utilizing R for MMA. The primary R package highlighted in this paper was metaSEM, chosen for its robust learning resources tailored for newcomers. While other packages were also utilized throughout the paper, they would be introduced as needed. Our aim with this paper had twofold: firstly, to bridge the practice gap by demonstrating how R could be effectively used for MMA in dental research; and secondly, to empower newcomers to R and MMA to apply these techniques in their own research endeavors. Through an illustrative example presented herein, we showcased the full capabilities of R in conducting MMA. Ultimately, we hope that this tutorial equips newcomers with the necessary skills to apply MMA techniques using R, not only in dental research but also in broader research contexts. An R file used for conducting MMA in this tutorial paper is available on the Open Science Framework (OSF), allowing learners to replicate the MMA results presented in this paper.