Current State of Data Transformation in Meta Analysis of Single Proportions

Abstract: Objective To investigate the current status of data transformation in Meta analysis of single proportions. Methods A literature search in PubMed was performed to retrieve researches of Meta analysis of single proportions published in 2017, and 481 records were returned. Results In 123 researches with full texts, only 33 (26.8%) described data transformation for proportions. Among which, double arcsine transformation was used 20 times, logit transformation 8, squared arcsine transformation 3, log transformation 1 and raw proportion 1. There was no relation between pooled portions and data transformation method (P=0.217).  Conclusion Data transformation is important in Meta analysis of single proportions, however, it is yet to determined which transformation method is best. So, data transformation should be clarified in published papers.