Name of Concept
Meta-analysis
Introduction
In couple and family therapy (CFT) research, meta-analysis is a method for combining the results of multiple treatment outcome studies and expressing conclusions about how well CFT works using effect-size statistics, such as the standardized difference between a CFT group and a control group. Meta-analysis is a way of reaching unbiased and precise conclusions about the outcome of CFT. Systematic reviewing procedures are used to identify all relevant studies in an unbiased way. Meta-analytic statistical procedures are used to synthesize the results of these into a single statistical index called an effect size. In meta-analysis, the methods used are described in sufficient detail to allow other researchers to replicate the process.
There are good reasons for wanting to make unbiased, precise statistical statements about the positive effects of CFT. A crucial question for policy makers is: Does CFT work for common mental health and psychosocial...
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Carr, A. (2018). Meta-analysis of Treatment Outcomes in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Breunlin, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_699-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_699-1
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