On the Role of Meta-Analysis in Personality and Social Psychology

An examination of the frequency with which meta-analyses appear in the sub disciplines of psychology reveals that educational psychology and psychotherapy have produced the most meta-analyses, with social psychology not far behind. Several concerns that theoretical psychologists might have about applying meta-analysis to their research domain are reviewed. These include the notions that (a) meta-analysis is good for the study of methodological artifacts, not substantive theories, and (b) meta-analysis focuses on main effects whereas theory testing focuses on interactions. Both concerns are shown to be unwarranted. Examples of the use of meta-analysis to advance social psychological theory are presented, along with a discussion of the benefits to social psychology that might accrue if meta-analysis were widely adopted.

Duke Scholars

Author Harris M. Cooper Psychology & Neuroscience