Introduction To Meta Analysis

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Introduction to Meta-Analysis

Author : Michael Borenstein
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119964377
Total Pages : 350 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (199 download)

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Book Synopsis Introduction to Meta-Analysis by : Michael Borenstein

Download or read book Introduction to Meta-Analysis written by Michael Borenstein and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-08-24 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a clear and thorough introduction to meta-analysis, the process of synthesizing data from a series of separate studies. Meta-analysis has become a critically important tool in fields as diverse as medicine, pharmacology, epidemiology, education, psychology, business, and ecology. Introduction to Meta-Analysis: Outlines the role of meta-analysis in the research process Shows how to compute effects sizes and treatment effects Explains the fixed-effect and random-effects models for synthesizing data Demonstrates how to assess and interpret variation in effect size across studies Clarifies concepts using text and figures, followed by formulas and examples Explains how to avoid common mistakes in meta-analysis Discusses controversies in meta-analysis Features a web site with additional material and exercises A superb combination of lucid prose and informative graphics, written by four of the world’s leading experts on all aspects of meta-analysis. Borenstein, Hedges, Higgins, and Rothstein provide a refreshing departure from cookbook approaches with their clear explanations of the what and why of meta-analysis. The book is ideal as a course textbook or for self-study. My students, who used pre-publication versions of some of the chapters, raved about the clarity of the explanations and examples. David Rindskopf, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology, City University of New York, Graduate School and University Center, & Editor of the Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics. The approach taken by Introduction to Meta-analysis is intended to be primarily conceptual, and it is amazingly successful at achieving that goal. The reader can comfortably skip the formulas and still understand their application and underlying motivation. For the more statistically sophisticated reader, the relevant formulas and worked examples provide a superb practical guide to performing a meta-analysis. The book provides an eclectic mix of examples from education, social science, biomedical studies, and even ecology. For anyone considering leading a course in meta-analysis, or pursuing self-directed study, Introduction to Meta-analysis would be a clear first choice. Jesse A. Berlin, ScD Introduction to Meta-Analysis is an excellent resource for novices and experts alike. The book provides a clear and comprehensive presentation of all basic and most advanced approaches to meta-analysis. This book will be referenced for decades. Michael A. McDaniel, Professor of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, Virginia Commonwealth University

Doing Meta-Analysis with R

Author : Mathias Harrer
Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 1000435636
Total Pages : 500 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (4 download)

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Book Synopsis Doing Meta-Analysis with R by : Mathias Harrer

Download or read book Doing Meta-Analysis with R written by Mathias Harrer and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-09-15 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Doing Meta-Analysis with R: A Hands-On Guide serves as an accessible introduction on how meta-analyses can be conducted in R. Essential steps for meta-analysis are covered, including calculation and pooling of outcome measures, forest plots, heterogeneity diagnostics, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, methods to control for publication bias, risk of bias assessments and plotting tools. Advanced but highly relevant topics such as network meta-analysis, multi-three-level meta-analyses, Bayesian meta-analysis approaches and SEM meta-analysis are also covered. A companion R package, dmetar, is introduced at the beginning of the guide. It contains data sets and several helper functions for the meta and metafor package used in the guide. The programming and statistical background covered in the book are kept at a non-expert level, making the book widely accessible. Features • Contains two introductory chapters on how to set up an R environment and do basic imports/manipulations of meta-analysis data, including exercises • Describes statistical concepts clearly and concisely before applying them in R • Includes step-by-step guidance through the coding required to perform meta-analyses, and a companion R package for the book

Common Mistakes in Meta-Analysis

Author : Michael Borenstein
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781733436700
Total Pages : 409 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (367 download)

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Book Synopsis Common Mistakes in Meta-Analysis by : Michael Borenstein

Download or read book Common Mistakes in Meta-Analysis written by Michael Borenstein and published by . This book was released on 2019-08-15 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Handbook of Meta-analysis in Ecology and Evolution

Author : Julia Koricheva
Publisher : Princeton University Press
ISBN 13 : 0691137293
Total Pages : 514 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (911 download)

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Book Synopsis Handbook of Meta-analysis in Ecology and Evolution by : Julia Koricheva

Download or read book Handbook of Meta-analysis in Ecology and Evolution written by Julia Koricheva and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2013-04-21 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Meta-analysis is a powerful statistical methodology for synthesizing research evidence across independent studies. This is the first comprehensive handbook of meta-analysis written specifically for ecologists and evolutionary biologists, and it provides an invaluable introduction for beginners as well as an up-to-date guide for experienced meta-analysts. The chapters, written by renowned experts, walk readers through every step of meta-analysis, from problem formulation to the presentation of the results. The handbook identifies both the advantages of using meta-analysis for research synthesis and the potential pitfalls and limitations of meta-analysis (including when it should not be used). Different approaches to carrying out a meta-analysis are described, and include moment and least-square, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian approaches, all illustrated using worked examples based on real biological datasets. This one-of-a-kind resource is uniquely tailored to the biological sciences, and will provide an invaluable text for practitioners from graduate students and senior scientists to policymakers in conservation and environmental management. Walks you through every step of carrying out a meta-analysis in ecology and evolutionary biology, from problem formulation to result presentation Brings together experts from a broad range of fields Shows how to avoid, minimize, or resolve pitfalls such as missing data, publication bias, varying data quality, nonindependence of observations, and phylogenetic dependencies among species Helps you choose the right software Draws on numerous examples based on real biological datasets

Meta-Analysis

Author : Mike W.-L. Cheung
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119993431
Total Pages : 402 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (199 download)

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Book Synopsis Meta-Analysis by : Mike W.-L. Cheung

Download or read book Meta-Analysis written by Mike W.-L. Cheung and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-05-06 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents a novel approach to conducting meta-analysis using structural equation modeling. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and meta-analysis are two powerful statistical methods in the educational, social, behavioral, and medical sciences. They are often treated as two unrelated topics in the literature. This book presents a unified framework on analyzing meta-analytic data within the SEM framework, and illustrates how to conduct meta-analysis using the metaSEM package in the R statistical environment. Meta-Analysis: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach begins by introducing the importance of SEM and meta-analysis in answering research questions. Key ideas in meta-analysis and SEM are briefly reviewed, and various meta-analytic models are then introduced and linked to the SEM framework. Fixed-, random-, and mixed-effects models in univariate and multivariate meta-analyses, three-level meta-analysis, and meta-analytic structural equation modeling, are introduced. Advanced topics, such as using restricted maximum likelihood estimation method and handling missing covariates, are also covered. Readers will learn a single framework to apply both meta-analysis and SEM. Examples in R and in Mplus are included. This book will be a valuable resource for statistical and academic researchers and graduate students carrying out meta-analyses, and will also be useful to researchers and statisticians using SEM in biostatistics. Basic knowledge of either SEM or meta-analysis will be helpful in understanding the materials in this book.

Statistical Meta-Analysis with Applications

Author : Joachim Hartung
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118210964
Total Pages : 215 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (182 download)

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Book Synopsis Statistical Meta-Analysis with Applications by : Joachim Hartung

Download or read book Statistical Meta-Analysis with Applications written by Joachim Hartung and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-09-20 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accessible introduction to performing meta-analysis across various areas of research The practice of meta-analysis allows researchers to obtain findings from various studies and compile them to verify and form one overall conclusion. Statistical Meta-Analysis with Applications presents the necessary statistical methodologies that allow readers to tackle the four main stages of meta-analysis: problem formulation, data collection, data evaluation, and data analysis and interpretation. Combining the authors' expertise on the topic with a wealth of up-to-date information, this book successfully introduces the essential statistical practices for making thorough and accurate discoveries across a wide array of diverse fields, such as business, public health, biostatistics, and environmental studies. Two main types of statistical analysis serve as the foundation of the methods and techniques: combining tests of effect size and combining estimates of effect size. Additional topics covered include: Meta-analysis regression procedures Multiple-endpoint and multiple-treatment studies The Bayesian approach to meta-analysis Publication bias Vote counting procedures Methods for combining individual tests and combining individual estimates Using meta-analysis to analyze binary and ordinal categorical data Numerous worked-out examples in each chapter provide the reader with a step-by-step understanding of the presented methods. All exercises can be computed using the R and SAS software packages, which are both available via the book's related Web site. Extensive references are also included, outlining additional sources for further study. Requiring only a working knowledge of statistics, Statistical Meta-Analysis with Applications is a valuable supplement for courses in biostatistics, business, public health, and social research at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an excellent reference for applied statisticians working in industry, academia, and government.

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions

Author : Julian P. T. Higgins
Publisher : Wiley
ISBN 13 : 9780470699515
Total Pages : 672 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (995 download)

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Book Synopsis Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions by : Julian P. T. Higgins

Download or read book Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions written by Julian P. T. Higgins and published by Wiley. This book was released on 2008-11-24 with total page 672 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Healthcare providers, consumers, researchers and policy makers are inundated with unmanageable amounts of information, including evidence from healthcare research. It has become impossible for all to have the time and resources to find, appraise and interpret this evidence and incorporate it into healthcare decisions. Cochrane Reviews respond to this challenge by identifying, appraising and synthesizing research-based evidence and presenting it in a standardized format, published in The Cochrane Library (www.thecochranelibrary.com). The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions contains methodological guidance for the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane intervention reviews. Written in a clear and accessible format, it is the essential manual for all those preparing, maintaining and reading Cochrane reviews. Many of the principles and methods described here are appropriate for systematic reviews applied to other types of research and to systematic reviews of interventions undertaken by others. It is hoped therefore that this book will be invaluable to all those who want to understand the role of systematic reviews, critically appraise published reviews or perform reviews themselves.

Applied Meta-Analysis for Social Science Research

Author : Noel A. Card
Publisher : Guilford Publications
ISBN 13 : 1462525008
Total Pages : 401 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (625 download)

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Book Synopsis Applied Meta-Analysis for Social Science Research by : Noel A. Card

Download or read book Applied Meta-Analysis for Social Science Research written by Noel A. Card and published by Guilford Publications. This book was released on 2015-10-06 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offering pragmatic guidance for planning and conducting a meta-analytic review, this book is written in an engaging, nontechnical style that makes it ideal for graduate course use or self-study. The author shows how to identify questions that can be answered using meta-analysis, retrieve both published and unpublished studies, create a coding manual, use traditional and unique effect size indices, and write a meta-analytic review. An ongoing example illustrates meta-analytic techniques. In addition to the fundamentals, the book discusses more advanced topics, such as artifact correction, random- and mixed-effects models, structural equation representations, and multivariate procedures. User-friendly features include annotated equations; discussions of alternative approaches; and "Practical Matters" sections that give advice on topics not often discussed in other books, such as linking meta-analytic results with theory and the utility of meta-analysis software programs. ÿ

Meta-Analysis

Author : Shahjahan Khan
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811550328
Total Pages : 294 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (115 download)

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Book Synopsis Meta-Analysis by : Shahjahan Khan

Download or read book Meta-Analysis written by Shahjahan Khan and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-10-27 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on performing hands-on meta-analysis using MetaXL, a free add-on to MS Excel. The illustrative examples are taken mainly from medical and health sciences studies, but the generic methods can be used to perform meta-analysis on data from any other discipline. The book adopts a step-by-step approach to perform meta-analyses and interpret the results. Stata codes for meta-analyses are also provided. All popularly used meta-analytic methods and models – such as the fixed effect model, random effects model, inverse variance heterogeneity model, and quality effect model – are used to find the confidence interval for the effect size measure of independent primary studies and the pooled study. In addition to the commonly used meta-analytic methods for various effect size measures, the book includes special topics such as meta-regression, dose-response meta-analysis, and publication bias. The main attraction for readers is the book’s simplicity and straightforwardness in conducting actual meta-analysis using MetaXL. Researchers would easily find everything on meta-analysis of any particular effect size in one specific chapter once they could determine the underlying effect measure. Readers will be able to see the results under different models and also will be able to select the correct model to obtain accurate results.

Network Meta-Analysis for Decision-Making

Author : Sofia Dias
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118647505
Total Pages : 484 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (186 download)

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Book Synopsis Network Meta-Analysis for Decision-Making by : Sofia Dias

Download or read book Network Meta-Analysis for Decision-Making written by Sofia Dias and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-03-19 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A practical guide to network meta-analysis with examples and code In the evaluation of healthcare, rigorous methods of quantitative assessment are necessary to establish which interventions are effective and cost-effective. Often a single study will not provide the answers and it is desirable to synthesise evidence from multiple sources, usually randomised controlled trials. This book takes an approach to evidence synthesis that is specifically intended for decision making when there are two or more treatment alternatives being evaluated, and assumes that the purpose of every synthesis is to answer the question "for this pre-identified population of patients, which treatment is 'best'?" A comprehensive, coherent framework for network meta-analysis (mixed treatment comparisons) is adopted and estimated using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods implemented in the freely available software WinBUGS. Each chapter contains worked examples, exercises, solutions and code that may be adapted by readers to apply to their own analyses. This book can be used as an introduction to evidence synthesis and network meta-analysis, its key properties and policy implications. Examples and advanced methods are also presented for the more experienced reader. Methods used throughout this book can be applied consistently: model critique and checking for evidence consistency are emphasised. Methods are based on technical support documents produced for NICE Decision Support Unit, which support the NICE Methods of Technology Appraisal. Code presented is also the basis for the code used by the ISPOR Task Force on Indirect Comparisons. Includes extensive carefully worked examples, with thorough explanations of how to set out data for use in WinBUGS and how to interpret the output. Network Meta-Analysis for Decision Making will be of interest to decision makers, medical statisticians, health economists, and anyone involved in Health Technology Assessment including the pharmaceutical industry.

Meta-Analysis with R

Author : Guido Schwarzer
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319214160
Total Pages : 256 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (192 download)

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Book Synopsis Meta-Analysis with R by : Guido Schwarzer

Download or read book Meta-Analysis with R written by Guido Schwarzer and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-10-08 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a comprehensive introduction to performing meta-analysis using the statistical software R. It is intended for quantitative researchers and students in the medical and social sciences who wish to learn how to perform meta-analysis with R. As such, the book introduces the key concepts and models used in meta-analysis. It also includes chapters on the following advanced topics: publication bias and small study effects; missing data; multivariate meta-analysis, network meta-analysis; and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies.

Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis

Author : Larry V. Hedges
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0080570658
Total Pages : 392 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (85 download)

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Book Synopsis Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis by : Larry V. Hedges

Download or read book Statistical Methods for Meta-Analysis written by Larry V. Hedges and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-06-28 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The main purpose of this book is to address the statistical issues for integrating independent studies. There exist a number of papers and books that discuss the mechanics of collecting, coding, and preparing data for a meta-analysis , and we do not deal with these. Because this book concerns methodology, the content necessarily is statistical, and at times mathematical. In order to make the material accessible to a wider audience, we have not provided proofs in the text. Where proofs are given, they are placed as commentary at the end of a chapter. These can be omitted at the discretion of the reader.Throughout the book we describe computational procedures whenever required. Many computations can be completed on a hand calculator, whereas some require the use of a standard statistical package such as SAS, SPSS, or BMD. Readers with experience using a statistical package or who conduct analyses such as multiple regression or analysis of variance should be able to carry out the analyses described with the aid of a statistical package.

Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis

Author : Harris Cooper
Publisher : SAGE Publications
ISBN 13 : 1483347044
Total Pages : 189 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (833 download)

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Book Synopsis Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis by : Harris Cooper

Download or read book Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis written by Harris Cooper and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2015-12-24 with total page 189 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Fifth Edition of Harris Cooper′s bestselling text offers practical advice on how to conduct a synthesis of research in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. The book is written in plain language with four running examples drawn from psychology, education, and health science. With ample coverage of literature searching and the technical aspects of meta-analysis, this one-of-a-kind book applies the basic principles of sound data gathering to the task of producing a comprehensive assessment of existing research.

Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis

Author : Hannah R. Rothstein
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 384 pages
Book Rating : 4.F/5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis by : Hannah R. Rothstein

Download or read book Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis written by Hannah R. Rothstein and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2005-11-18 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publication bias is the tendency to decide to publish a study based on the results of the study, rather than on the basis of its theoretical or methodological quality. It can arise from selective publication of favorable results, or of statistically significant results. This threatens the validity of conclusions drawn from reviews of published scientific research. Meta-analysis is now used in numerous scientific disciplines, summarizing quantitative evidence from multiple studies. If the literature being synthesised has been affected by publication bias, this in turn biases the meta-analytic results, potentially producing overstated conclusions. Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis examines the different types of publication bias, and presents the methods for estimating and reducing publication bias, or eliminating it altogether. Written by leading experts, adopting a practical and multidisciplinary approach. Provides comprehensive coverage of the topic including: Different types of publication bias, Mechanisms that may induce them, Empirical evidence for their existence, Statistical methods to address them, Ways in which they can be avoided. Features worked examples and common data sets throughout. Explains and compares all available software used for analysing and reducing publication bias. Accompanied by a website featuring software, data sets and further material. Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis adopts an inter-disciplinary approach and will make an excellent reference volume for any researchers and graduate students who conduct systematic reviews or meta-analyses. University and medical libraries, as well as pharmaceutical companies and government regulatory agencies, will also find this invaluable.

A Guide to the Scientific Career

Author : Mohammadali M. Shoja
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1118907426
Total Pages : 786 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (189 download)

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Book Synopsis A Guide to the Scientific Career by : Mohammadali M. Shoja

Download or read book A Guide to the Scientific Career written by Mohammadali M. Shoja and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2020-01-09 with total page 786 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A concise, easy-to-read source of essential tips and skills for writing research papers and career management In order to be truly successful in the biomedical professions, one must have excellent communication skills and networking abilities. Of equal importance is the possession of sufficient clinical knowledge, as well as a proficiency in conducting research and writing scientific papers. This unique and important book provides medical students and residents with the most commonly encountered topics in the academic and professional lifestyle, teaching them all of the practical nuances that are often only learned through experience. Written by a team of experienced professionals to help guide younger researchers, A Guide to the Scientific Career: Virtues, Communication, Research and Academic Writing features ten sections composed of seventy-four chapters that cover: qualities of research scientists; career satisfaction and its determinants; publishing in academic medicine; assessing a researcher’s scientific productivity and scholarly impact; manners in academics; communication skills; essence of collaborative research; dealing with manipulative people; writing and scientific misconduct: ethical and legal aspects; plagiarism; research regulations, proposals, grants, and practice; publication and resources; tips on writing every type of paper and report; and much more. An easy-to-read source of essential tips and skills for scientific research Emphasizes good communication skills, sound clinical judgment, knowledge of research methodology, and good writing skills Offers comprehensive guidelines that address every aspect of the medical student/resident academic and professional lifestyle Combines elements of a career-management guide and publication guide in one comprehensive reference source Includes selected personal stories by great researchers, fascinating writers, inspiring mentors, and extraordinary clinicians/scientists A Guide to the Scientific Career: Virtues, Communication, Research and Academic Writing is an excellent interdisciplinary text that will appeal to all medical students and scientists who seek to improve their writing and communication skills in order to make the most of their chosen career.

Meta-regression Analysis in Economics and Business

Author : T. D. Stanley
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 0415670780
Total Pages : 202 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (156 download)

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Book Synopsis Meta-regression Analysis in Economics and Business by : T. D. Stanley

Download or read book Meta-regression Analysis in Economics and Business written by T. D. Stanley and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Meta-Regression Analysis in Economics and Business is the first text devoted to the meta-regression analysis (MRA) of economics and business research.

Advances in Meta-Analysis

Author : Terri Pigott
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461422779
Total Pages : 166 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (614 download)

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Book Synopsis Advances in Meta-Analysis by : Terri Pigott

Download or read book Advances in Meta-Analysis written by Terri Pigott and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-01-31 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The subject of the book is advanced statistical analyses for quantitative research synthesis (meta-analysis), and selected practical issues relating to research synthesis that are not covered in detail in the many existing introductory books on research synthesis (or meta-analysis). Complex statistical issues are arising more frequently as the primary research that is summarized in quantitative syntheses itself becomes more complex, and as researchers who are conducting meta-analyses become more ambitious in the questions they wish to address. Also as researchers have gained more experience in conducting research syntheses, several key issues have persisted and now appear fundamental to the enterprise of summarizing research. Specifically the book describes multivariate analyses for several indices commonly used in meta-analysis (e.g., correlations, effect sizes, proportions and/or odds ratios), will outline how to do power analysis for meta-analysis (again for each of the different kinds of study outcome indices), and examines issues around research quality and research design and their roles in synthesis. For each of the statistical topics we will examine the different possible statistical models (i.e., fixed, random, and mixed models) that could be adopted by a researcher. In dealing with the issues of study quality and research design it covers a number of specific topics that are of broad concern to research synthesists. In many fields a current issue is how to make sense of results when studies using several different designs appear in a research literature (e.g., Morris & Deshon, 1997, 2002). In education and other social sciences a critical aspect of this issue is how one might incorporate qualitative (e.g., case study) research within a synthesis. In medicine, related issues concern whether and how to summarize observational studies, and whether they should be combined with randomized controlled trials (or even if they should be combined at all). For each topic, included is a worked example (e.g., for the statistical analyses) and/or a detailed description of a published research synthesis that deals with the practical (non-statistical) issues covered.