How Does Distance Education Compare With Classroom Instruction? A Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Literature

2004 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Bernard ◽  
Philip C. Abrami ◽  
Yiping Lou ◽  
Evgueni Borokhovski ◽  
Anne Wade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Classroom Instruction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Achievement Outcomes ◽  
Wide Variability

A meta-analysis of the comparative distance education (DE) literature between 1985 and 2002 was conducted. In total, 232 studies containing 688 independent achievement, attitude, and retention outcomes were analyzed. Overall results indicated effect sizes of essentially zero on all three measures and wide variability. This suggests that many applications of DE outperform their classroom counterparts and that many perform more poorly. Dividing achievement outcomes into synchronous and asynchronous forms of DE produced a somewhat different impression. In general, mean achievement effect sizes for synchronous applications favored classroom instruction, while effect sizes for asynchronous applications favored DE. However, significant heterogeneity remained in each subset.

Abstract P223: Larger Effect Sizes of Established BMI Genetic Variants During Adolescence, a Vulnerable Period of Weight Gain

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariaelisa Graff ◽  
Kari E North ◽  
Karen L Mohlke ◽  
Leslie A Lange ◽  
Ethan M Lange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Add Health ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Call Rate ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Vulnerable Period

In the past five years genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified common genetic loci associated with body mass index (BMI) mainly in European middle-aged adult populations. The influence of these loci in adolescence, a period of risk for weight gain, and whether there are different associations across adolescent groups at highest risk (e.g., ethnic minority populations), remains largely unknown. We examined whether obesity susceptibility loci identified from previous GWAS in adults were associated with BMI in an ethnically diverse adolescent cohort. Using 8918 participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, or Add Health (aged 12-21 years in 1996, 52.6 % female), we assessed the association of 43 SNPs, selected based on statistical significance in previous GWAS, with BMI across four ethnic US subpopulations (5,296 European Americans, EA, 1,815 African Americans, AfA, 1,356 Hispanic Americans, HA, and 451 Asian Americans, AsA). Buccal cells from participants were extracted and genotyped using TaqMan (sample call rate: 97.5%, SNP call rate: 100%). Inverse normal transformed BMI residuals, adjusted for gender and age, were used in ethnicity-stratified models with SNPs in PLINK, assuming an additive model. An inverse-variance-weighted meta-analysis was used to combine results across the 4 ethnic groups. Average BMI across all ethnic groups was 23.6±5.2 kg/m2, ranging from 22.6±5.2 kg/m2 in AsA to 24.3±5.8 kg/m2 in AfA. The effect estimates for all 43 SNPs were directionally consistent across ethnicity with previously published results. Of the 43 SNPs, 20 were associated with BMI at p<0.05 in the meta-analysis (17 in EA, 7 in AfA, 4 in HA, and 5 in AsA). Based on t-test comparisons, 16 of the 20 SNPs had larger and 2 loci had smaller effect sizes (p<0.05) in the Add Health adolescent sample than published effect sizes for BMI in adults. Only FTO (rs9939609) showed significant heterogeneity across ethnicity (p=0.01 for I2=73.5). TMEM18 (rs6548238, meta-analysis p-value p=1.32E-10), had one of the largest differences in effect size compared to middle-aged European adults (Willer et al 2009) with a per allele increase of 0.70±0.11 kg/m2 in this sample versus 0.26±0.07 kg/m2 in adults (beta[SE] difference = 0.44[0.08]; p=1.4E-08). Variants associated with BMI in adults were also associated with BMI in adolescents, with some comparatively larger effects during this vulnerable period. R01HD057194

scholarly journals A-17 Category Test performance in individuals with alcohol versus methamphetamine dependence

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 876-876
Author(s):  
A Walker ◽  
A Hauson ◽  
S Sarkissians ◽  
A Pollard ◽  
C Flora-Tostado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Category Test ◽  
Methamphetamine Dependence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Axis I

Abstract Objective The Category Test (CT) has consistently been found to be sensitive at detecting the effects of alcohol on the brain. However, this test has not been as widely used in examining the effects of methamphetamine. The current meta-analysis compared effect sizes of studies that have examined performance on the CT in alcohol versus methamphetamine dependent participants. Data selection Three researchers independently searched nine databases (e.g., PsycINFO, Pubmed, ProceedingsFirst), extracted required data, and calculated effect sizes. Inclusion criteria identified studies that had (a) compared alcohol or methamphetamine dependent groups to healthy controls and (b) matched groups on either age, education, or IQ (at least 2 out of 3). Studies were excluded if participants were reported to have Axis I diagnoses (other than alcohol or methamphetamine dependence) or comorbidities known to impact neuropsychological functioning. Sixteen articles were coded and analyzed for the current study. Data synthesis Alcohol studies showed a large effect size (g = 0.745, p < 0.001) while methamphetamine studies evidenced a moderate effect size (g = 0.406, p = 0.001); both without statistically significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the effect sizes from alcohol versus methamphetamine studies (Q-between = 5.647, p = 0.017). Conclusions The CT is sensitive to the effects of both alcohol and methamphetamine and should be considered when examining dependent patients who might exhibit problem solving, concept formation, and set loss difficulties in everyday living.

Effect of High-Fat or High-Carbohydrate Diets on Endurance Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Erlenbusch ◽  
Mark Haub ◽  
Kathy Munoz ◽  
Susan MacConnie ◽  
Belinda Stillwell
Keyword(s):  
Endurance Exercise ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
High Carbohydrate Diet ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Carbohydrate Diet ◽  
High Carbohydrate

The purpose of this investigation was to clarify, via a meta-analysis, whether the literature favors a high-fat or a high-carbohydrate diet to yield superior endurance exercise performance. Twenty published trials were analyzed to compare exercise performance under different diets. The average effect size of −0.60 indicated that subjects following a high-carbohydrate diet exercised longer until exhaustion. The training status of subjects (trained vs. untrained) was significantly related to effect size (r = −0.576, P < 0.01) and effect sizes separated between trained and untrained subjects were −0.05 and −2.84 respectively. The test for homogeneity revealed significant heterogeneity among effect sizes (χ2 [19] = 43.30, P < 0.05), indicating all of the trials are not describing the same effect. Given this significant heterogeneity, a conclusive endorsement of a high-carbohydrate diet based on the literature is difficult to make. Highly dissimilar trial protocols are the primary reason for heterogeneity.

scholarly journals The Validity of Situation Awareness for Performance: A Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Z Bakdash ◽  
Laura Ranee Marusich ◽  
Katherine Cox ◽  
Michael Geuss ◽  
Erin Zaroukian
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Performance Effect ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
And Training ◽  
Cognitive Construct

SA is a widely used cognitive construct in human factors, summarized as “knowing what is going on.” Generally, SA is theoretically posited to be a critical causal factor and/or construct for performance. However, some researchers have raised concerns that SA may be circular and also that SA may lack the appropriate psychological mechanisms relevant to performance. We address these conflicting perspectives using meta-analysis to evaluate the specific and general patterns of associations among SA-performance effect sizes. Specifically, we focus on the validity of SA for performance—the degree to which SA represents or captures the relevant psychological processes and mechanisms related to task performance. From the empirical literature, we coded associations of eight unique measures of SA with (task) performance: 492 effects from 38 papers met the systematic review inclusion criteria. In contrast to SA’s broadly theorized fundamental link with performance, the magnitude of most meta-analytic mean effect sizes for SA measures was limited to medium or lower effects. Although there was a significant overall mean effect, its magnitude was also limited (r = 0.24). In addition, there was high unexplained systematic variation with an enormous plausible range for individual effects (r = -0.20 to 0.60). The meta-analytic results are inconsistent with theories postulating SA is fundamental to performance. Instead, SA’s validity for performance tends to be, on average, weak with large variations among effects. Therefore, theories may need to be revised. Furthermore, even presuming SA is causally linked to performance as generally theorized, improvements in SA (such as SA-based design and training) may not correspond to meaningful increases in task performance.

scholarly journals Quality of Caregiving in Mothers With Illicit Substance Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 117822181769403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Hatzis ◽  
Sharon Dawe ◽  
Paul Harnett ◽  
Jane Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Maternal Sensitivity ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Observational Methodology ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Subgroup Analyses ◽  
Sample Characteristics

Background: The quality of caregiving in mothers with substance abuse problems appears to be compromised. However, divergent findings, methodological variability, and sample characteristics point to the need for research synthesis. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was undertaken. Studies were eligible if they (1) compared substance-misusing mothers with non–substance-misusing mothers, (2) involved children from birth to 3 years, and (3) maternal sensitivity and child responsiveness were measured using observational methodology. Results: A global meta-analysis for maternal sensitivity (n = 24 studies) and child responsiveness (n = 16 studies) on 3433 mother-infant dyads yielded significant population effect sizes and significant heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses found reduced heterogeneity when the meta-analysis was conducted on studies where groups were matched on key demographic characteristics; although the effect size was small, it was still significant for maternal sensitivity but not child responsiveness. Conclusions: Compromised quality of caregiving is found in high-risk, substance-misusing mothers, emphasising the importance of early intervention that draws from attachment-based interventions.

Effects of Game-Based Learning on Students’ Critical Thinking: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 073563312110070
Author(s):  
Weijie Mao ◽  
Yunhuo Cui ◽  
Ming M. Chiu ◽  
Hao Lei
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Thinking Disposition

As past studies showed mixed results, this meta-analysis determined game-based learning’s overall effect on students’ critical thinking and tested for moderators, using 21 effect sizes from 20 empirical studies of 1,947 participants. The results showed that game-based learning had a significant positive overall effect on students’ critical thinking ( g = 0.863, k = 21) and showed significant heterogeneity among effect sizes. Among game types, role-playing games yielded the largest mean effect size ( g = 1.828, k = 5). The effect size of game-based learning was larger for critical thinking disposition ( g = 1.774, k = 4) than critical thinking skill ( g = 0.661, k = 17). Game-based learning also had a larger effect on students in collectivistic countries ( g = 1.282, k = 10) than those in individualistic countries ( g = 0.432, k = 10). Furthermore, this effect size was larger in later publication years. Lastly, the effect size of game-based learning on critical thinking was larger for studies published in journal articles ( g = 1.154, k = 13) than theses ( g = 0.378, k = 8).

Neuroticism and emotion regulation through music listening: A meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Miranda ◽  
Camille Blais-Rochette
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Emotional Instability ◽  
Summary Effect ◽  
K 13 ◽  
Musical Emotion

Recent research has found that neuroticism (i.e., trait emotional instability) may dispose people to use music listening as a strategy to regulate their emotions. To estimate the magnitude of this relationship, we performed a meta-analysis (random effects model) of the extant 13 correlational studies ( k = 13) for a total of 2641 participants. Results indicated a significant small-to-medium summary effect ( r =.22, 95% CI [0.17, 0.27]) for the positive correlation between neuroticism and emotion regulation through music listening. Furthermore, there was no evidence of significant heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies. Overall, we conclude that the putative effect of neuroticism on musical emotion regulation is relatively moderate. Findings may suggest that people higher in neuroticism are more prone to use music listening as an accessible resource to regulate their negative emotions or manage whatever affects their mood in everyday life.

scholarly journals Systematically Mapping Connection between Rapid Automatized Naming Task and Reading Performance: A Meta-analysis of Correlational Data

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-76
Author(s):  
Eugene Borokhovski ◽  
Robert M. Bernard ◽  
Norman Segalowitz ◽  
Anna Sokolovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Reading Skills ◽  
Reading Speed ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Rapid Automatized Naming ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Double Deficit Hypothesis ◽  
Double Deficit

Introduction. This meta-analytical study of primary research on early literacy explores and summarizes patterns of correlation between performance on Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) task and measures of specific reading skills. This is the first large-scale meta-analysis intended to verify claims of the double-deficit hypothesis of relative independence of naming speed and phonological awareness factors in developmental dyslexia and to systematically map specific connection between RAN performance and various literacy competencies. Method. Two-hundred-forty-one primary studies identified through systematic searches of related empirical literature yielded 1551 effect sizes of two types – cross-sectional (correlations at the same time) and longitudinal (when measures of RAN and reading were considerably separated in time), reflecting RAN-to-reading correlations for seven independent outcome types. Results. The overall weighted average effect sizes were: r+ = 314, k = 1254 and r+ = 343, k = 297, respectively. Subsequent moderator variable analyses further explored RAN-to-reading associations dependent on RAN type, particular reading skills, age of learners and other factors. Among the strongest and most consistent in both sub-collections were correlation between symbolic RAN and reading speed and between non-symbolic RAN and reading comprehension, whereas both RAN types were strongly associated with decoding skills and reading composite measures. Discussion. Patterns of RAN-to-reading correlation provided insufficient support for the double-deficit hypothesis, but were suggestive of perceiving RAN as a measure of “pre-reading” skills, an “equal among equals” correlate of reading performance. The study also emphasizes the important role of both automatic and controlled cognitive processes for successful RAN task performance in its connection to reading competency.

scholarly journals The Effects of Interval Training on Peripheral Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) In Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia García-Suárez ◽  
Iván Rentería ◽  
Eric Plaisance ◽  
José Moncada-Jiménez ◽  
Alberto Jiménez-Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Moderate Increase ◽  
Young Population ◽  
Chronic Effect

Abstract The aim of the current meta-analysis was to determine the effects of acute and chronic interval training (IT) on peripheral BDNF concentrations in healthy young adults. A literature search was performed using six databases until February 2020. The TESTEX scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Effect sizes (ES) were computed and two-tailed α values <0 .05 and non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity, inconsistency (I2), and small-study effects using the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index were examined. Fifteen studies (n=277 participants, age =24±3 yr.) were included. The overall effects of IT on circulating BDNF concentrations were moderate and non-significant (ES =0.64, 95%CI = -0.01, 1.30, heterogeneous (p<0.001), highly inconsistent (I2=90%), and with major asymmetry (LFK index =2.85). The acute effect of IT on peripheral BDNF levels was large and significant (ES =1.22, 95%CI =0.08), homogenous (p<0.001), with considerable inconsistency (I2=93%), and major asymmetry (LFK index =3.34). The chronic effect of IT on circulating BDNF was large and significant (ES =0.93, 95%CI =0.40), homogenous (p<0.001), with moderate inconsistency (I2=70%), and minor asymmetry (LFK index =1.21). Acute and chronic IT, elicited a moderate increase in peripheral BDNF concentrations in a healthy young population.

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