meta-analysis

Question 1

what is meta-analysis

Answer 1

The compilation of multiple secondary sources of previous research to establish trends and a combined conclusion.

Question 2

aim of meta-analyses

Answer 2

To find patterns in studies that are comparable for their similar methods to guide the field of research.

Question 3

what evidence should meta - analysis use?

Answer 3

should only include studies that have sound methodology - so that the best evidence is pulled together into the overall analysis

(best-evidence synthesis)

Question 4

generalisability

Answer 4

P - high
E - uses a large sample of research from different cultures, genders, places etc.
E - therefore findings are representative of the wider population

Question 5

reliability

Answer 5

P - high
E - will include quantitative data in some of the sources used,
E - the findings will be objective, increasing consistency

P - low
E - there will be differences in the procedure of each piece of research
E - direct comparisons cannot be done easily

Question 6

applications

Answer 6

P - yes
E - they are often used to look at success rates of treatments
E - research can be used to show the effectiveness and so possibly lead to improvements

Question 7

validity

Answer 7

P - low
E - only uses published data and ignores unpublished data, which means that researches are selective in the information they use. This also means publication bias has an effect as research is more likely to be published if the results are significant
E - This can distort the findings

P - low
E - uses secondary data so there may be elements of subjectivity when interpreting the results
E - therefore may be unscientific and may be influenced by researcher bias

Question 8

Ethics

Answer 8

P - Ethical
E - using secondary data doesn’t directly involve the use of participants
E - ethical guidelines do not need to be considered