Research SynthesisResearch Synthesis

Approaches to research synthesis

Narrative reviews A discursive analysis of

multiple research studies

May include both quant and qual studies

May include theoretical or philosophical work

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique for combining the results of multiple studies

Only applicable for quantitative studies, ones where effect sizes

can be calculated

Qualitative research studies

Quantitative research studies

Narrative reviews of research

Meta-analysis

Forest plots (the key to understanding a meta-analysis)

Effect size is the difference between two groups

Effect size = mean of exp group − mean of control group _______________________________________ standard deviation

What would you conclude about the effect of DARE on drug use from looking at this Figure?

More info on meta-analysis

A good source on meta-analysis is the Cochrane Collaboration, an international non-profit academic group specializing in meta-analyses of healthcare interventions.http://www.cochrane.org

Simpler reference: Bergman NG, Parker RA (2002). Meta-analysis: neither quick nor easy. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/2/10.

Research reviews…

Are organized by topic

Summarize what is and is not known

Identify areas of controversy

Acquaint readers with existing research on a topic

Illustrate trends in research

Illustrate the need for further research

Be focused

Clarify the thesis, topic, question Collect relevant research

What sources journals, books, websites, dissertations,

conference proceedings Does publication date matter?

Read and summarize 12 step summary annotated bibliography, old school or RefWorks

Doing Literature Reviews

Evaluate the pieces

Set criteria for inclusion in review Create an organizational structure for the

review Group studies by

Research questions Results Characteristics of research participants Methods used

Doing Literature Reviews

Write the review

Discursive prose Thematic organization Synthesize and evaluate, rather than summarize

Things to keep in mind Use evidence Be selective… select the most important points Use quotes sparingly Use caution when paraphrasing… fair representation

& avoiding plagarism Start paragraphs/sentences with the idea, not a

citation Find and keep your voice Use proper style… usually APA style

Doing Literature Reviews

TOPIC: How is home understood, defined and described across theoretical and empirical literature?

House and home Ideal house and home Between the real and ideal, the actual and remembered

home Home as haven Home and family Home and gender Home and journeying Being at home in the world Home, self-identity, and being

Organization of review of research

Mallett, S. (2004). Understanding home: A critical review of the literature. The Sociological Review, 52(1), 62-89.

Being in a hurry… overlooking studies Relying too heavily on secondary sources Focusing only on findings, at the expense of

methods, instrumentation, research design Using only journal articles… not books,

handbooks, encyclopedias Too broadly or narrowly conceived Summarizing studies, rather than synthesizing

and evaluating what is learned

Common errors