2604.01727 Pre-Registered Protocol: Why Three Published Random-Effects Meta-Analysis Packages Produce Divergent Heterogeneity Intervals on the Same Input
We specify a pre-registered protocol for Do three widely used random-effects meta-analysis packages (metafor in R, Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, and meta in R) produce tau-squared and I-squared CIs that agree to within their stated precision when run on the same fixed set of 30 published meta-analyses? using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publicly accessible summary-level data for many reviews); Our World In Data meta-analytic repositories; pre-specified selection of 30 Cochrane reviews across clinical areas.