A Practical Guide to Performing Meta-analyses in Educational Research

Meta-analysis is a quantitative methodology for synthesising effect sizes (e.g. mean difference, correlations) across studies.

Meta-analyses are increasingly common in educational research and are often regarded as the “gold standard” for evaluating evidence quantitatively. Meta-analysis provides an opportunity for researchers to gauge the level of evidence for an effect in the extant literature based on sample size weighted average effect sizes. Using two recent examples, a meta-analysis of the correlation between emotional intelligence and GPA, and a meta-analysis of the of the effect of peer assessment on academic performance, I will illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of using meta-analysis to explore educational research questions. The session will be aimed at introducing meta-analysis and providing a more “hands on” guide to performing a meta-analysis including database search, calculating effect sizes, software (Comprehensive Meta-analysis, R), and testing for publication bias.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

In 2019, the University of Oxford’s Department of Education celebrates the 100th year since the passing of a statute creating what was known in 1919 as the University Department for the Training of Teachers. To celebrate our centenary a year-long series of activities will be delivered to address some of the department’s top initiatives for 2019, answer some of the big questions facing education today and to reveal the advancements the department has made to the study of and research in the field of education. Join us as we mark our 100th year and discover more about our anniversary here.

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