Meta-analysis for the studies on extrasolar planets using Kepler mission data

This study aims to overview research articles on extrasolar planets using Kepler mission data during the period of 2009-2015 in order to discover research trends in them. Kepler space observatory is a NASA space observatory for extrasolar planet expedition launched in March 2009, contributed to the discovery and tracking of extrasolar planets and its candidates. In order to achieve the goal of this study, we classified research subjects from studies on Kepler mission data year by year and found the most frequent research topics each year. We also conducted a comparative analysis on the research subjects based on time series and examined any changes with respect to the goal of Kepler mission. Statistical meta-analysis is employed as the analysis method for the key words presented in the research articles. This study is a part of on-going research to find the correlation between the physical parameters of the host star and extrasolar planets. The results of this study could offer new directions in researches utilizing Kepler mission data as those meta-analyses in social sciences often suggest new opportunities. We have high expectations that more extrasolar planet studies will follow as we make further progresses in various analyses.