Conducting meta-analyses of HIV prevention literatures from a theory-testing perspective.
Using illustrations from HIV prevention research, the current article advocates approaching meta-analysis as a theory-testing scientific method rather than as merely a set of rules for quantitative analysis. Like other scientific methods, meta-analysis has central concerns with internal, external, and construct validity. The focus of a meta-analysis should only rarely be merely describing the effects of health promotion, but rather should be on understanding and explaining phenomena and the processes underlying them. The methodological decisions meta-analysts make in conducting reviews should be guided by a consideration of the underlying goals of the review (e.g., simply effect size estimation or, preferably theory testing). From the advocated perspective that a health behavior meta-analyst should test theory, the authors present a number of issues to be considered during the conduct of meta-analyses.
Marsh
K L
KL
University of Connecticut, Department of Psychology, 406 Babbidge Rd., Unit 1020, Storrs, CT 06269-1020, USA. Kerry.L.Marsh@uconn.edu
Johnson
B T
BT
Carey
M P
MP
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic