Which is a key benefit of conducting meta-analyses?

Conducting meta-analyses offers the key benefit of clarifying conflicting research results. This process involves systematically combining data from multiple studies, which allows researchers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a specific issue or question. When individual studies yield differing results or conclusions, a meta-analysis can synthesize these findings to determine a more accurate overall effect or trend, enhancing the reliability of the evidence. By aggregating results, meta-analyses can identify patterns that might not be visible in smaller or isolated studies, thereby increasing the statistical power and precision of the conclusions drawn.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of meta-analyses. For instance, while they provide valuable insights, they do not eliminate the need for original research, nor do they serve as a replacement for systematic reviews, which often provide a qualitative synthesis of research. Additionally, meta-analyses do not merely provide a single study outcome; they analyze and report on multiple outcomes across different studies, facilitating a deeper understanding of the subject matter.