Introduction to Quantitative Meta-Analysis

The goal of the workshop is to cover the core skills needed to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis. While a good portion of the content has to include statistical formulas and models, the teaching will include demonstrations, explanations and interpretations to connect real data and methodological dilemmas with concepts, formulas and models. Because it is not possible for all methodological dilemmas as well as data and research question challenges to be covered, the understanding and skills learned in this class are intended to be generalized to new scenarios encountered by the learners in their future applied meta-analyses.

This workshop is designed for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and research scientists from the behavioral, social, and health sciences. It is recommended that participants have a working knowledge of the general multiple regression model. Relevant core statistical concepts will be reviewed at the beginning of the workshop. Participants who would benefit from a more in-depth refresher on linear regression prior to attending may wish to watch our (no cost) Linear Regression Playlist on YouTube.

Chapter 1. Introduction and Review
1.1 Introduction to Quantitative Meta-Analysis
1.2 Core Statistics Review

Chapter 2. Calculating the Standardized Mean Difference
2.1 Calculating the Standardized Mean Difference and its Variance
2.2 Transforming Inferential Statistics to Obtain the SMD
2.3 Calculating the SMD from repeated measures design data

Chapter 3. Pooling Standardized Mean Differences
3.1 Fixed-Effects Pooling of Effect Size Estimates
3.2 Random-Effects Pooling of Effect Size Estimates
3.3 Demonstration of Pooling SMDs by hand and with escalc

Chapter 4. Meta-Regression Models
4.1 Regression and Meta-Regression
4.2 Using rma to estimate fixed- & mixed-effects meta-regression models
4.3 Meta-Regression Models: An Example

Chapter 5. Handling Within-Study Dependence in SMDs
5.1 Dependent Effects Introduction
5.2 Using GLS to handle within-study dependence & moderation
5.3 Robust Variance Estimation of Meta-Regression Models

Chapter 6. Missing Data and Publication Bias
6.1 Assessing Publication Bias
6.2 Correcting for Publication Bias

Chapter 7. Meta-Analysis of Correlations
7.1 Pooling Correlation Estimates
7.2 Handling Within-Study Dependence in Correlation Estimates
7.3 Testing publication bias in meta-analysis of Correlations

Chapter 8. Meta-Analysis of Treatment Effects on Dichotomous Outcomes
8.1 Categorical Effect Size Measures
8.2 Meta-Regression of Categorical Effect Sizes
8.3 Final Hurrah of Equations and Stuff

Demonstrations of analyses are presented using the R software program because it is the software that is most rapidly and frequently updated with the latest methodological innovations in meta-analysis. Where possible, supplemental materials demonstrating use of SPSS statistical software are provided. Note that R can be downloaded for free.  While it is helpful to have some familiarity with R, it is not necessary.  The lectures which constitute the majority of the workshop are software-independent.  Note that while code will be shared for all analyses demonstrated in the workshop, the majority of the pedagogy will focus on the concepts and content rather than use of software.

Introduction to Quantitative Meta-Analysis is a four-day workshop originally taught live via Zoom by Tasha Beretvas. Daily lectures were held from 9:00 to 5:00 with morning, lunch, and afternoon breaks. Sessions consisted of comprehensive lectures, detailed presentation of real-data examples with live demonstrations in R, response to participant questions, and general discussion.

Self-paced participants receive lifetime access to all course materials, including complete course notes, lecture recordings, software demonstration notes, and data and code for all examples. You can revisit these materials any time you like, without worrying about expiration dates. Pretty awesome, huh?