What does a forest plot display?

A forest plot is a graphical representation commonly used in meta-analyses to display the effect sizes of multiple studies side by side. It provides a visual summary of the results of each study included in the analysis, highlighting the point estimates (effect sizes) and their corresponding confidence intervals. This allows for easy comparison among the studies regarding their findings on a specific intervention or treatment.

By displaying the effect sizes and their uncertainties, the forest plot facilitates an understanding of the overall evidence on the effectiveness of an intervention, helping practitioners make informed decisions based on the aggregated data. The plotting of these data points effectively illustrates heterogeneity across studies and supports the synthesis of research findings.

Other choices do not accurately describe what a forest plot represents. For instance, study design comparisons or patient demographics would require different types of visualizations to communicate that information effectively, while cost-effectiveness analysis results are typically presented through different analytical frameworks or charts focused on economic evaluation rather than effect sizes from clinical studies.