EPSE 594: Meta-Analysis (Quantitative Research Synthesis)
2021/22, Winter Term 2
Course overview:
This course will cover all the basics of classical meta-analysis. We will study the statistical foundation of the technique and examine its advantages and failings via many case studies. Mathematical foundations will form a component of the material, though our main focus will be on practical applications for researchers in a variety of disciplines.
Recommended textbooks: You can access/download these from the UBC Library
- Introduction to Meta-Analysis, Michael Borenstein, Larry V. Hedges, Julian P.T. Higgins, Hannah R. Rothstein. This is an excellent intro textbook. It is not mathematically heavy, and targeted at applied researchers in the social and health sciences.
- Meta-Analysis with R, Guido Schwarzer, James R. Carpenter, Gerta Rücker. A great textbook that fully integrates R with the relevant material. Lots of useful code provided. Highly recommended.
Class Notes:
-Week 1: Introduction to meta-analysis; common measures of effect size
-Week 2: The basic fixed effect and random effect meta-analysis models
-Week 3: Heterogeneity and prediction
-Week 4: Meta-regression and subgroup analysis
-Week 5: Statistical power and its role in meta-analysis
-Week 6: Synthesizing multiple study outcomes; publication bias
-Week 7: Publication bias: diagnosing and correcting for it
-Week 8: Simpson's paradox, ecological fallacies; standardized risk of bias assessments
-Week 9: Psychometric issues in meta-analysis
-Week 10: Network meta-analysis
-Week 1: Introduction to meta-analysis; common measures of effect size
- Best Practices for Systematic Reviews by Emily Kothe
-Week 2: The basic fixed effect and random effect meta-analysis models
-Week 3: Heterogeneity and prediction
-Week 4: Meta-regression and subgroup analysis
-Week 5: Statistical power and its role in meta-analysis
-Week 6: Synthesizing multiple study outcomes; publication bias
-Week 7: Publication bias: diagnosing and correcting for it
-Week 8: Simpson's paradox, ecological fallacies; standardized risk of bias assessments
-Week 9: Psychometric issues in meta-analysis
-Week 10: Network meta-analysis