meta-analysis
noun
meta-anal·y·sis ˌme-tə-ə-ˈna-lə-səs 
: a quantitative statistical analysis of several separate but similar experiments or studies in order to test the pooled data for statistical significance
Word History
First Known Use
1976, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
meta-analysis
noun
meta-anal·y·sis ˌmet-ə-ə-ˈnal-ə-səs
: quantitative statistical analysis that is applied to separate but similar experiments of different and usually independent researchers and that involves pooling the data and using the pooled data to test the effectiveness of the results
the report … on low cholesterol presented a comprehensive meta-analysis of 32 randomized studies involving 42,000 individuals 
Scientific American Medicine Bulletin
Scientific American Medicine Bulletin