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Meta-analysis in Prevention Science

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Defining Prevention Science

Part of the book series: Advances in Prevention Science ((Adv. Prevention Science))

Abstract

This chapter describes the fundamental elements of meta-analysis, with particular emphasis on its relevance to prevention science. The goal is to provide readers with a basic understanding of what a meta-analysis is, how to identify meta-analysis topics appropriate to prevention science, how to interpret results from meta-analysis, and how to identify some of the potential biases in meta-analysis; in short, our goal is to create intelligent consumers of meta-analysis. Armed with knowledge about some of the common ways that meta-analytic techniques can be used in prevention science research, we encourage readers interested in conducting a meta-analysis to seek more comprehensive resources on the statistical methods unique to this form of research (e.g., Borenstein, Hedges, Higgins, & Rothstein, 2009; Cooper, Hedges, & Valentine, 2009; Lipsey & Wilson, 2001).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peabody Research Institute, Vanderbilt University, Peabody #181, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA

    Sandra Jo Wilson

  2. Peabody Research Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Emily E. Tanner-Smith

Authors
  1. Sandra Jo Wilson
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  2. Emily E. Tanner-Smith
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Correspondence to Sandra Jo Wilson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ontario, Ohio, USA

    Zili Sloboda

  2. JBS International, Inc., Rockville, USA

    Hanno Petras

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Wilson, S.J., Tanner-Smith, E.E. (2014). Meta-analysis in Prevention Science. In: Sloboda, Z., Petras, H. (eds) Defining Prevention Science. Advances in Prevention Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7424-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7424-2_19

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7423-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7424-2

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