The authors critiqued the M. K. Lovelace (2005) meta-analysis of the Dunn and Dunn Model of Learning-Style Preferences (DDMLSP). The conclusion that Lovelace reported in her meta-analysis that learning-style instruction is a beneficial form of instructional delivery is unjustified because of critical conceptual and practical problems. Those…

Meta-analysis, applying data analysis to quantitative summaries of individual studies, is described in terms of procedures and advantages (inclusiveness and examination of interactions across studies) for special education research. (CL)

Use of meta-analysis to determine the important manipulable influences on school learning is illustrated. The methodology of meta-analysis discussed in relation to primary research methods include: (1) problem formulation; (2) sample selection; (3) data analysis; (4) data interpretation; and (5) data reporting. (SLD)

The need for research synthesis is explored as well as the benefits of meta-analysis, particularly those related to understanding and explanation. The problems with traditional review methods are discussed, with special relevance to their failure to resolve problems. Finally, the findings from several meta-analyses are summarized and contrasted…

Meta-analysis of 70 studies examining the efficacy of drug treatment for severe behavior disorders indicate a modest positive effect for drug intervention. Subsets of data aggregating behavioral, cognitive, and physiological outcomes are examined as well as variation for drug effects in terms of subject characteristics and design variables.…

Discussion of the methods of meta-analysis first identifies problems associated with research integration, the limitations of traditional review techniques, and the advantages of quantitative methods. Meta-analytic procedures are described with respect to how they parallel classical scientific method, including problem formulation, sampling,…

Meta-Analysis of 59 studies revealed that neither the Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception nor the Frostig program for the development of visual perception was advantageous for handicapped students. (CL)

This response to Dunn (EC 221 793) reaffirms the conclusions of a meta analysis on modality-based instruction, through elaboration of the study's selection criteria and methodological factors. Although modality-based instruction is seen to be intuitively appealing, educators are encouraged, instead, to apply instructional methods of proven…

Explores the nature of meta-analysis by placing it in the context of research synthesis. Methods of meta-analysis are described and compared with other forms of research integration, and findings for several meta-analyses are provided to show advantages of quantitative review methods. (SLD)

A meta-analysis of 53 studies on social skills training of children with learning disabilities found a mean effect size of only 0.211, with few differences among teachers, peers, or children themselves who judged the effectiveness of the training. Discussion focuses on possible links between learning disabilities and social skills that might…

This meta-analysis examined 152 studies on social skill deficits among students with learning disabilities (LD). Quantitative synthesis showed that about 75% of students with LD manifest social skill deficits that distinguish them from comparison samples. Approximately the same level of group differentiation was found across different raters…

A meta-analysis of 268 studies suggested a deficit in subjects with mental retardation (compared to controls without mental retardation) across 12 categories of learning tasks, a relative deficit which remained, after training, across 7 categories of strategies. When strategy training was evaluated, the effect size was 0.701, which compares…

This study used meta-analyses to evaluate the relative effectiveness of a variety of educational interventions with students who have disabilities. A graph of average effect sizes for 18 interventions shows the demonstrated effectiveness of mnemonic training, reading comprehension instruction, behavior modification, direct instruction,…

Results of synthesis of 1007 studies on the nature of learning disabilities using indicators in the linguistic, achievement, neuropsychological, and social-behavioral domains, indicated that 75% of learning disabled Ss could be differentiated from normal Ss but only 40% of the variance could be explained. Findings suggest the need for a…

The nature of effective instruction for students with specific learning disability is explored. Process training has long been a prominent intervention but is shown to possess limited efficacy. Better outcomes are attained when effective general education instructional techniques are adapted for the purposes of special education. Related services…