Research methods - meta analysis

What is meta analysis?

A research method where several studies of the same thing done in the same way are collated and the data is brought together 

What happens to the data in meta-analysis?

Data is re-analysed to look at an overall effect

What are the advantages of meta-analysis?

Higher validity

Bigger sample

Evens out natural variation to show an average effect size 

What are the disadvantages of meta-analysis?

Studies may not be directly comparable - since different designs may have been used 

Therefore, conclusions may be overstated or incorrect