Applied Meta-Analysis for Social Science Research

Noel A. Card PhD, is Associate Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. His areas of interest include child and adolescent social development and quantitative research methods. He has received the Society for Research in Child Development Early Career Research Contributions Award and is an elected member of the Society of Multivariate Experimental Psychology.

Card is to be applauded for his thorough discussion of both the fundamentals and recent advances in meta-analysis, and for his use of such friendly, toned-down language. For instance, the graphical presentation of simulation results in order to explain the threat/impact of publication bias will really help readers understand the concept. I really like the author’s discussions of practical matters, which may stimulate readers to investigate new approaches and practices. I will recommend this book to my colleagues in psychology and education who are interested in learning meta-analysis.--Soyeon Ahn, PhD, Research, Measurement, and Evaluation Program, University of MiamiThis book teaches individuals how to do a meta-analysis from start to finish. Readers learn how to search the literature, code studies, statistically combine study results, and write up the results. Card covers topics not included in most textbooks, such as how to retrieve unpublished studies, the creation of a coding manual, effect sizes from multiple regression analysis, publication bias, and multivariate procedures in meta-analysis. I like the 'Practical Matters' sections in the chapters. This is an excellent textbook for a course on meta-analysis, and an excellent manual for anyone wanting to conduct a meta-analysis.--Brad J. Bushman, PhD, Institute for Social Research, University of MichiganThe book is well organized and walks the reader through the concepts in an accessible, logical manner. The definitions and explanations are clear and easy to follow, and the consistent use of examples throughout the chapters is very helpful. The author does a nice job of presenting key considerations, alternative approaches, and the strengths and shortcomings of each option. The reading level and writing style are appropriate for graduate student readers.--Jody A. Worley, PhD, Department of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa- Card's book is written in a nontechnical style that would work well in a graduate course, or it could be used by someone who is just learning meta-analysis. Card takes the reader through the multiple steps in creating a meta-analytic study, such as retrieving studies, creating a coding manual, and using effect size indices, as well as how to write a meta-analytic review paper. His book is peppered with examples of the technique, which makes the topic more accessible and easier to understand. He also provides advice on the utility of meta-analysis software, such as how it can be used and whether it is needed. This book is written like a good recipe that the reader can follow from beginning to end to produce a meta-analytic study ready to submit for publication....Describes how to do meta-analysis without bogging down the reader with equations. Card offers simple explanations of what to do in meta-analysis and provides enough background so that the reader can understand the rationale behind procedures and why the procedures need to be completed. --PsycCRITIQUES, 7/27/2012

• I. The Blueprint: Planning and Preparing a Meta-Analytic Review 1. AN INTRODUCTION TO META-ANALYSIS 1.1 The Need for Research Synthesis in the Social Sciences 1.2 Basic Terminology 1.3 A Brief History of Meta-Analysis 1.4 The Scientific Process of Research Synthesis 1.5 An Overview of the Book 1.6 Practical Matters: A Note on Software and Information Management 1.7 Summary 1.8 Recommended Readings 2. QUESTIONS THAT CAN AND QUESTIONS THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED THROUGH META-ANALYSIS 2.1 Identifying Goals and Research Questions for Meta-Analysis 2.2 The Limits of Primary Research and the Limits of Meta-Analytic Synthesis 2.3 Critiques of Meta-Analysis: When Are They Valid and When Are They Not? 2.4 Practical Matters: The Reciprocal Relation between Planning and Conducting a Meta-Analysis 2.5 Summary 2.6 Recommended Readings 3. SEARCHING THE LITERATURE 3.1 Developing and Articulating a Sampling Frame 3.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 3.3 Finding Relevant Literature 3.4 Reality Checking: Is My Search Adequate? 3.5 Practical Matters: Beginning a Meta-Analytic Database 3.6 Summary 3.7 Recommended Readings II. The Building Blocks: Coding Individual Studies 4. CODING STUDY CHARACTERISTICS 4.1 Identifying Interesting Moderators 4.2 Coding Study “Quality” 4.3 Evaluating Coding Decisions 4.4 Practical Matters: Creating an Organized Protocol for Coding 4.5 Summary 4.6 Recommended Readings 5. BASIC EFFECT SIZE COMPUTATION 5.1 The Common Metrics: Correlation, Standardized Mean Difference, and Odds Ratio 5.2 Computing r from Commonly Reported Results 5.3 Computing g from Commonly Reported Results 5.4 Computing o from Commonly Reported Results 5.5 Comparisons among r, g, and o 5.6 Practical Matters: Using Effect Size Calculators and Meta-Analysis Programs 5.7 Summary 5.8 Recommended Readings 6. CORRECTIONS TO EFFECT SIZES 6.1 The Controversy of Correction 6.2 Artifact Corrections to Consider 6.3 Practical Matters: When (and How) to Correct: Conceptual, Methodological, and Disciplinary Considerations 6.4 Summary 6.5 Recommended Readings 7. ADVANCED AND UNIQUE EFFECT SIZE COMPUTATION 7.1 Describing Single Variables 7.2 When the Metric Is Meaningful: Raw Difference Scores 7.3 Regression Coefficients and Similar Multivariate Effect Sizes 7.4 Miscellaneous Effect Sizes 7.5 Practical Matters: The Opportunities and Challenges of Meta-Analyzing Unique Effect Sizes 7.6 Summary 7.7 Recommended Readings III. Putting the Pieces T