Harris M. Cooper, "Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis: A Step-by-Step Approach, 5th edition"
English | ISBN: 1483331156 | 2016 | 384 pages | EPUB | 7 MB
English | ISBN: 1483331156 | 2016 | 384 pages | EPUB | 7 MB
This book serves as an introductory methods text on how to conduct a research synthesis of literature in the social, behavioural, or the medical sciences. Harris Cooper applies the basic tenets of sound data-gathering to the task of producing a comprehensive assessment of past research.
In this book, the process of research synthesis is conceptualized as five stages: (1) problem formulation; (2) data collection or the literature search; (3) data evaluation; (4) analysis and interpretation; and (5) presentation of results. Cooper leads the reader through the comprehensive synthesis via a five- stage, step-by-step process.
In the fifth edition, chapter 4 on conducting a literature search has been extensively revised to include recent developments brought about by the increasing use of the internet for scientific communication. Other new developments in the techniques for meta-analysis are covered in chapter 6, including new statistics for describing meta-analytic results and combining complex data structure. These new statistics are introduced but briefly because more in-depth treatment they would require more advanced knowledge that is not appropriate for this book. This new edition reflects careful revisions throughout along with a thorough updating of the references.
Readers who are engaged in writing a research report, dissertation, or book will find Cooper's tips a welcome aid for doing more effective and more efficient literature review.