Philosophical Inquiry into Meta-Analysis.
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| Title: | Philosophical Inquiry into Meta-Analysis. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Grover, Burton L. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 1993 |
| Document Type: | Opinion Papers Reports - Evaluative Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Effect Size, Hypothesis Testing, Integrated Activities, Literature Reviews, Meta Analysis, Philosophy, Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis |
| Abstract: | A search of the ERIC database and a review of the literature suggests that meta-analysis is ignored by philosophers, a situation that is regrettable but remediable. Meta-analysis is a method by which one attempts to integrate findings quantitatively from several research studies related to a common general topic. Philosophers should certainly pay attention to meta-analysis if their task is to investigate knowledge claims and assess their significance. Three areas in particular are fertile ground for philosophers. One is the importance of the questions considered by meta-analysis. Another is the matter of generalization to a population. A third area for philosophers to consider is variation in criterion variables and parsimony. Many have been excited about the potential of meta-analysis to make sense of a mass of confusing contradictory studies and to reach new conclusions where none seemed logically possible. While results of some meta-analyses encourage this excitement, disagreements among methodologists can be disconcerting. Better technical expertise may resolve such problems, but it is also possible that philosophical consideration will give more direction to these efforts. (Contains 9 references.) (SLD) |
| Entry Date: | 1994 |
| Accession Number: | ED372120 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | A search of the ERIC database and a review of the literature suggests that meta-analysis is ignored by philosophers, a situation that is regrettable but remediable. Meta-analysis is a method by which one attempts to integrate findings quantitatively from several research studies related to a common general topic. Philosophers should certainly pay attention to meta-analysis if their task is to investigate knowledge claims and assess their significance. Three areas in particular are fertile ground for philosophers. One is the importance of the questions considered by meta-analysis. Another is the matter of generalization to a population. A third area for philosophers to consider is variation in criterion variables and parsimony. Many have been excited about the potential of meta-analysis to make sense of a mass of confusing contradictory studies and to reach new conclusions where none seemed logically possible. While results of some meta-analyses encourage this excitement, disagreements among methodologists can be disconcerting. Better technical expertise may resolve such problems, but it is also possible that philosophical consideration will give more direction to these efforts. (Contains 9 references.) (SLD) |
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