What Is a Meta-Analysis and Why Should I Run One?

This chapter begins by defining meta-analysis and develops these ideas by referencing some of the health and social psychology meta-analyses that helped me to learn about meta-analysis to provide examples for readers to develop their knowledge. Next, the chapter introduces key concepts in meta-analysis: effect sizes, such as correlations between variables or effect size differences; pooling effect sizes to provide a precise estimate; sample-weighting study results; publication bias, which we will cover in the rest of the book. Then, the chapter outlines key reasons why I think you should run a meta-analysis, like, providing a precise estimate of effect sizes, complementing a systematic review, and generating testable research questions. The chapter will end with an outline of the book structure.