Using enrollment decline cases for data, the case survey method analyzes the content of case studies, thus allowing data from various cases to be aggregated and researchers to overcome constraints on data collection. The analyst uses six steps in this method in reviewing the case literature: (1) definition of the unit of analysis, (2)…

The most important problem in psychology and the social sciences today is the failure to produce cumulative knowledge. This situation has led many to conclude that cumulative knowledge and general principles and theories may be impossible to establish in psychology, a conclusion suggesting that psychology can never be a science--only at best a…

Two new methods for constructing a credibility interval (CI)--an interval containing a specified proportion of true validity description--are discussed, from a frequentist perspective. Tolerance intervals, unlike the current method of constructing the CI, have performance characteristics across repeated applications and may be useful in validity…

The reviewer has rich praise for this book and suggests that for readers not familiar with the topic of research synthesis this should be the first book they read.

The validity generalization model of meta analysis is described and modified for application to concurrent validity studies of motor behavior. An example is presented. (Author/MT)

Forty-three language intervention studies published during the 1970s were critically analyzed. Findings indicated that, in general, studies have not paralleled current psycholinguistic thinking. Only 34.8% of the studies were successful in increasing the communicative competence of their severely handicapped subjects. (Author/CL)

The meta-analysis of 22 studies on the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction (CAI) with exceptional children indicated that most studies reported CAI to be largely effective but that the result of calculating effect sizes indicated a moderate effect for CAI. (Author/DB)

Bases for recent allegations of sex bias in Kohlberg's theory of moral development are discussed, and studies comparing the development of moral reasoning across the sexes are reviewed. A meta-analysis supported the conclusion that the overall pattern is one of nonsignificant sex differences in moral reasoning. (Author/RH)

An action theoretic account of skill learning and skill use is offered as a useful heuristic for life-span developmental psychology. The version presented is one that is particularly prominent in industrial psychology in the German-speaking countries. (Author/RH)

The article suggests supplementing the social problem study groups and data synthesis approaches to building knowledge with emphasis on synthesizing reviews. Such reviews would strengthen the evaluation profession and promote utilization of the knowledge base generated by evaluators. (DWH)

The article proposes the viability of meta-analysis as a useful technique for integrating cross-study findings in early childhood special education. Issues of efficacy research, research integration, and the mechanics of conducting a meta-analysis are discussed, and efficacy studies are presented. (Author/CL)

Considered the relative effectiveness of drug therapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of unipolar depression in adults in a meta-analysis of 56 outcome studies. Evidence suggested that psychotherapy was superior to drug therapy. (Author/LLL)

This paper decribes the case survey method as a technique to overcome data collection problems and lack of integration of case studies. It outlines the roots of the method, distinguishes it from meta-analysis, describes the process with illustrations from an enrollment decline study, and analyzes its strengths and limitations. (BW)

Over the years, methodologists have been recommending that researchers use magnitude of effect estimates in result interpretation to highlight the distinction between statistical and practical significance (cf. R. Kirk, 1996). A magnitude of effect statistic (i.e., effect size) tells to what degree the dependent variable can be controlled,…

The first part of this paper examines using meta-analysis as a basis for making probabilistic statements about client outcome by revisiting Smith and Glass's (1977) classic paper concerning meta-analysis of psychotherapy outcome studies. While it may be argued that making probabilistic statements was not the primary purpose of meta-analysis, Smith…