Meta-Analytic Procedures for Social Research

By Robert Rosenthal

Book Overview

"Meta-Analytic Procedures for Social Research contains a wealth of information on meta-analytic techniques. The excellent index and bibliography add to its usefulness." --The Library Quarterly "Now in its second edition, Robert Rosenthal′s primer on meta-analysis is a ′must-have′ tool for the research workbench of students and scholars in the social sciences. The revised volume ′makes readily accessible some newer meta-analytic procedures that have been developed since the 1984 edition′ (p.1). In addition, the references in the 1991 edition have been updated to reflect the latest findings and thinking in this field. . . . This book will serve as a valuable resource to anyone interested in meta-analysis as a research technique. There are complete and thorough discussions of problem areas that have been regarded as questionable by critics of this technique. . . . Rosenthal′s discussion and justification of the use of published studies is thorough and insightful from two vantage points. . . . Rosenthal′s treatment of publication bias is just one example that emphasizes the value of this book to researchers. The second edition represents a wealth of information in one place which is clearly explained in understandable language. . . . Rosenthal′s revised edition is a valuable source book for experienced meta-analysts as well as researchers new to the technique. As a teaching tool, the book is recommended as required reading in research methods courses at the doctoral level. Scholars in marketing and organizational behavior have made increasing use of meta-analysis since the 1980s, thus, doctoral students need exposure to and education on this topic. Rosenthal′s second edition is a necessary tool for achieving this goal." --Elizabeth J. Wilson, Louisiana State University "It is well organized, and adequately describes the various procedures with illustrations. In sum, the book is valuable for individuals interested in the application of meta-analytic procedures." --The Accounting Review Praised in the first edition for its clarity in conceptualizing meta-analysis, Robert Rosenthal′s newly revised edition covers the latest techniques and advances in the field. Included in this revised edition are chapters examining a new effect size indicator, new one-sample data, a new coefficient of robustness of replication, more procedures for combining and comparing effect sizes for multiple dependent variables, and current data on the magnitude of the problem of incomplete retrieval. In addition, results are provided on the social, psychological, economic, and medical importance of small effect sizes. Designed for use by students and professional researchers in the social and behavioral sciences, this book will prepare the reader not only to do meta-analysis but to evaluate meta-analyses more wisely.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080394246X
• ISBN13: 9780803942462
• Release Date: May 1991
• Publisher: Sage Publications
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Meta-analytic procedures for social research

Quite a good book covering most important aspects of meta-analysis. I would criticize only one aspect. The one of mathematical rigor. The assumptions that should apply in order to use a technique are not always stated. That is the case with several other books on this topic. Also, I would argue against the use of z/sqrt(N) as an estimate for Pearson's r which is used throughout the book and is described as a 'good approximation', and as such propagated through the literature from here. One could easily check that the maximum of that estimate for Wilcoxon test with balanced samples converges towards 0.866... as the samples grow larger, which is far from 1. On the other hand, for some tests (like Gehan's test for censored data) it can be as large as 1.3. Hence, it is far from good approximation.

Lucid, concise, informative - a gem for any researcher!

Whether you are simply interested in an ability to understand meta-analytic studies or have already published such works, this small text will be of great assistance. The author provides clear and concise discussion of all the relevant issues including valuable formulas for obtaining effect sizes from various tests of significance, procedures for appropriately combining effect sizes and testing for significance, and an interesting discussion of the binomial effect size display. While such information and methods are available elsewhere, I have never seen such a clear and concise presentation. There is also an excellent discussion of the file-drawer problem and alternatives for addressing it. In short, this is an elegant work that belongs on the shelves of any life-long student of the social sciences!