Tells how to conduct a meta-analysis study, and refers readers to information about refinements of the techniques. A simple meta-analysis is presented. Describes three fundamental stages to conducting a meta-analysis: (1) literature review; (2) calculation of effect sizes; and (3) analysis of data. (Author/NB)

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)

Conducted meta-analyses of validity coefficients from tests of clerical abilities for five criteria (supervisor ratings, supervisor rankings, work samples, production quantity, production quality). Found ratings, rankings, work samples, and production quantity to all result in high test validities. Fifth criterion, production quality, had low…

Meta-analysis synthesizes related research by considering three major factors: sample size, magnitude of significance, and statistical test used. These factors produce an effect size, expressed as a correlation or as a difference between means, divided by the standard deviation. Discusses ways to use effect size when results are not consistent and…

Responds to an article in the same issue of the journal presenting a meta-analysis of reading research. Suggests that the metastudy is well conceived, yet its disembodied perspective, devoid of any mention of an actual teacher, student, or school, is emblematic of how far the frames, questions, and methods deemed important have taken reading…

Responds to an article in the same issue of the journal presenting a meta-analysis of reading research. Expresses concern that the authors' conclusions will promote a slavish adherence to a methodology and a rigidity of thought that reading researchers can ill afford. (RS)

Responds to an article in the same issue of the journal presenting a meta-analysis of reading research. Discusses limitations of meta-analysis; changing views of research; influential instructional research; and changing standards, changing possibilities. (RS)

Reports on a meta-analysis of 34 news diffusion studies to show that the general importance of a story is positively associated with the level of diffusion and likelihood of hearing the news interpersonally but not the rate of telling others. Indicates that news that is personally relevant to an individual is more likely to be discussed with…

Conducted meta-analytic review of 27 studies on social skills training with schizophrenics, addressing magnitude of treatment effects relative to outcome measures, extent of generalization and maintenance of treatment effects, and impact of diagnostic clarity and training variations. Found that social skills training had strong, positive impact on…

Conducts a meta-analysis of 23 manuscripts containing information on 30 experiments that examined communication apprehension and cognitive performance. Finds a statistically significant negative correlation between communication apprehension and cognitive performance. (MG)

Considers the relation between meta-analysis statistics and analysis of variance statistics. Discusses advantages and disadvantages as a primary data analysis tool. Argues that the two approaches are partial paraphrases of one another. Advocates an integrative approach that introduces the best of meta-analytic thinking into primary analysis…

Analyzes empirical findings and conceptual problems to clarify how sex differences are related to communication. Finds that conceptual reasons for the muddled picture of sex differences in communication research include reliance on stereotypes, polarization of the sexes, lack of valid reasons, and dearth of theory. (SR)

Conducted meta-analysis of 17 studies examining efficacy of psychosocial treatments for depression among older adults. Treatments were reliably more effective than no-treatment on self-rated and clinician-rated measures of depression. Effect sizes for studies involving participants with major depression disorder were reliably different from zero,…

Proposes a new method, reliability generalization, for meta-analysis. Reliability generalization characterizes the typical reliability of scores for a test across studies, the amount of variability in reliability coefficients, and the sources of this variability. Analysis of 87 reliability coefficients for two scales of the Bem Sex Role Inventory…

Describes the early stages of development of the Campbell Collaboration Social, Psychological, Educational & Criminological Trials Register (C2-SPECTR) to help those preparing and maintaining systematic reviews of experiments in these fields. The register currently contains more than 10,000 records, including more than 300 references to existing…