Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis serves as an introductory methods text on how to conduct a research synthesis of literature in the social, behavioral, or the medical sciences. Harris Cooper applies the basic tenets of sound data-gathering to the task of producing a comprehensive assessment of past research.
In this book, the process of research synthesis is conceptualized as five stages: (1) problem formulation; (2) data collection or the literature search; (3) data evaluation; (4) analysis and interpretation; and (5) presentation of results. Cooper leads the reader through the comprehensive synthesis via a five- stage, step-by-step process.
In the fifth edition, chapter 4 on conducting a literature search has been extensively revised to include recent developments brought about by the in creasing use of the internet for scientific communication. Other new developments in the techniques for meta-analysis are covered in chapter 6, including new statistics for describing meta-analytic results and combining complex data structure. These new statistics are introduced but briefly because more in-depth treatment they would require more advanced knowledge that is not appropriate for this book. This new edition reflects careful revisions throughout along with a thorough updating of the references.
Readers who are engaged in writing a research report, dissertation, or book will find Cooper's tips a welcome aid for doing more effective and more efficient literature review.
INTRODUCTION: LITERATURE REVIEWS, RESEARCH SYNTHESES AND META-ANALYSES
STEP 1: Formulating the Problem
STEP 2: Searching the Literature
STEP 3: Gathering Information From Studies
STEP 4: Evaluating the Quality of Studies
STEP 5: Analyzing and Integrating the Outcomes of Studies
STEP 6: Interpreting the Evidence
STEP 7: Presenting the Results
CONCLUSION: Threats to the Validity of Research Synthesis Conclusions
Harris Cooper is Hugo L. Blomquist professor for psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. In 2007, he received the Contributions to Research Synthesis Methodology Award from the International Campbell Collaboration. In 2008, he received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Research Synthesis Methodology. He has been the editor of Psychological Bulletin and Archives of Scientific Psychology. From 2009 to 2015, he was the Chief Editorial Advisor to the American Psychological Associations journal publishing program. His substantive interests include application of social and developmental psychology to education policy.
