EX-TRACT: An excel tool for the estimation of standard deviations from published articles

Meta-analysis, power analysis, and sensitivity analysis are widespread statistical techniques, which can be correctly performed only if variability statistics, such as standard deviation, available; however, deviations often missing in published articles. This work illustrates the functionality versatility of a newly developed Excel© tool for deviation extraction from ANOVA Multiple Comparison Test (MCT) results. The implements four methods, alternatively applied according to available statistics usually reported and/or MCT tables graphs: 1) least significant difference (LSD), 2) significance level (p(F)), 3) letters means separation assigned by MCT, 4) range level, indicated "stars". one, two three-way factorial experiments arranged complete randomization, randomized block, split-plot or split-block. performances different methods were tested case study about meta-analysis database preparation.