Problems in synthesis (meta-analytic) studies: an example from the communication disorders literature.
This research note examined contemporary issues for meta-analysis with an example from the communication disorders literature. A significant proportion of experimental and quasi-experimental research results are not published in the mainstream literature, which suggests that publication bias is a potential problem for synthesis studies. Nonetheless, 50% of synthesis studies (meta-analyses) in communication disorders do not include statistical or visual procedures, e.g., fail-safe Ns or funnel plots, to reinforce the integrity of results. Tests for publication bias are recommended as routine procedures for meta-analyses.
The University of Texas-Pan American, Communication Sciences and Disorders, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78541-2999, USA. TM2776@AOL.COM
Timothy
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Meline
D003147:Communication Disorders; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic