Using Meta-Analysis in Prevention and Intervention: Concepts, Applications and Issues
The meta-analysis is becoming more and more popular among researchers as a way of resuming results from multiples studies. This text reviews both conceptual and methodological aspects of this technique. The context used to discuss on meta-analysis is the one of prevention and intervention programs for children. The meta-analysis is presented as a useful tool to find the most effective programs and their success' conditions. This technique has statistical considerations and weaknesses that the reader has to be aware of in order to appreciate its results. A table resume the content and the results of 19 meta-analysis of prevention and intervention studies on externalized and internalized behaviour problems.