Meta-Analysis: A Comparison of Approaches

Meta-Analysis: A Comparison of Approaches Author: Schulze, Ralf, Bibliographic Data: (ISBN: 0-88937-280-2, Hogrefe & Huber Publishers, 2004, $39.95) 242 pages, hard cover. Subjects: Biostatistics, Psychology, Clinical, Medical Education & Informatics, Research DESCRIPTION: This book provides a comprehensive treatment and comparison of the statistical procedures available for meta-analysis with correlations as effect size. PURPOSE: This book explores and compares the fundamentals, specifics, and advances of meta-analytical approaches. This is a worthwhile text since meta-analysis has become the standard method for summarizing research findings in many scientific fields. AUDIENCE: The target audience for this book is the meta-analyst and the consumer of research desiring an enhanced understanding of the methods of meta-analysis. It is especially of interest to the researcher for whom correlations represent an effect size of interest. The author has a background in statistics and research methods. FEATURES: This book is divided into four parts. Part I introduces the reader to the basics of meta-analysis. The steps of meta-analysis are explained and summarized as they relate to the review of literature. Part II discusses the methods of meta-analysis focusing on effect size. Part III focuses on the results of an empirical comparison between approaches using Monte Carlo methods. The final part summarizes and discusses the theoretical analyses and results of the Monte Carlo study. ASSESSMENT: This book is a must for the researcher wanting to have a further understanding and evaluation of meta-analysis methods. This will book should help the target audience in making an informed choice and evaluation of the approaches and the corresponding results of meta-analysis. SCORE: Weighted Numerical Score: 100 Reviewed by:Diane M. Tomasic, EdD, RN (West Liberty State College)FIGURE. No caption available.