Criminological: Research Method: Meta Analysis

Question 1

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 1

The compilation of multiple secondary sources to establish a combined conclusion.

Question 2

Identify the main way meta-analyses are used in criminal psychology.

Answer 2

To assess success rates of treatments for offenders.

Question 3

Evaluate the generalisability of meta-analyses?

Answer 3

+ Gather a large sample of many studies of different cultures, time periods and locations.
= findings are representative at a mass scale.

Question 4

Evaluate the reliability of meta analysis.

Answer 4

+Involve quantitative data such as crime rates of recidivism when looking at treatments.
= Analysis of treatment will be objective and consistent.

Question 5

Evaluate the validity of meta analysis.

Answer 5

• Researchers pick which published data they use in their analysis so can have researcher bias.

Question 6

Evaluate the ethics of meta analysis.

Answer 6

Doesn’t directly use participants so can’t have ethical issues.