1. Identify Your Area of Interest

• Choose a field that you are knowledgeable about and interested in.
• If you are in a specific domain (e.g., cardiology), focus on unresolved questions or controversial topics.

2. Conduct a Preliminary Literature Search

• Use databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar to check the volume of studies available.
• Ensure that there is enough high-quality data (at least 5-10 studies for meaningful analysis).
• Look for systematic reviews in your field to see what gaps exist.

3. Consider Clinical or Research Relevance

• Does the topic address an important clinical question?
• Would the results help in decision-making for clinicians or policymakers?
• Is there an ongoing debate or uncertainty in the literature?

4. Define a Clear Research Question (PICO Framework)

• Population: Who are the subjects? (e.g., heart failure patients)
• Intervention: What treatment or exposure is being analyzed? (e.g., beta-blockers)
• Comparator: What is the control or alternative intervention? (e.g., placebo or another drug)
• Outcome: What results are measured? (e.g., mortality, hospitalization rates)

5. Ensure Feasibility

• Are there sufficient randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies?
• Can you access full-text articles? (Some studies may be behind paywalls)
• Are there enough consistent outcome measures across studies?

6. Check for Heterogeneity Issues

• If previous studies have highly variable methodologies, combining them may not be feasible.
• Topics with a standardized intervention and outcome measures are easier to analyze.

7. Evaluate Publication Bias

• If a topic has mostly positive studies and no negative findings, it may indicate publication bias, reducing the reliability of a meta-analysis.

8. Consider Ethical and Practical Aspects

• Avoid topics with insufficient data or high risk of bias.
• Ensure compliance with PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.

9. Look at Recent Trends

• Check recent meta-analyses in your field—avoid redundant work but consider extending or updating past analyses.
• Emerging therapies or technologies often have growing bodies of literature.

10. Formulate a Research Hypothesis

• Your meta-analysis should aim to confirm, refute, or refine an existing hypothesis.
• Example: "Does early initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors reduce cardiovascular mortality in diabetic patients?"