What type of study utilizes specific statistical tools to synthesize findings across studies?

Meta-analysis is a quantitative research method that combines the results of multiple studies to identify patterns, contradictions, or overall effects. This approach uses specific statistical tools to synthesize findings, allowing researchers to derive a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon than individual studies can provide. By aggregating data from various studies, meta-analysis increases the statistical power and precision of the findings, enabling more reliable conclusions.

In contrast, integrative reviews provide a summary of various studies, synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data without the strict statistical analysis characteristic of meta-analyses. Qualitative research focuses on understanding complex human behaviors and experiences, often emphasizing depth over breadth and lacking the quantitative synthesis offered in meta-analysis. A case study involves an in-depth exploration of a single instance or situation, which does not seek to synthesize findings from multiple sources but rather to provide insights on a specific case.