Department of Psychology University of Wollongong, Australia
ABSTRACT. Meta-analysis refers to a set of statistical
procedures used to summarize and integrate many empirical
studies that focus on one issue. This numerical method of
integrating research findings is said to be superior to the
narrative type of reviews because it is more objective,
reliable, and rigorous. Moreover, the meta-analytic approach is
supposedly capable of resolving research controversies,
strengthening empirical hypotheses, and discovering new
relationships among variables. In this study, these claims are
examined and found to be wanting. Some objections to the use of
meta-analysis as a means of substantiating theoretical
assertions are raised with reference to the rationale of
experimentation and to how knowledge evolves. It is concluded
that it is inappropriate to apply meta-analysis to integrate
theoretical research. AS THE NUMBER of empirical studies bearing
on a research topic in-creases, a need arises to integrate
existing findi