scholarly journals Quality of Research Design Moderates Effects of Grade Retention on Achievement: A Meta-Analytic, Multilevel Analysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiharu S. Allen ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Victor L. Willson ◽  
Jan N. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Grade Retention ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Individual Level

The present meta-analysis examines the effect of grade retention on academic outcomes and investigates systemic sources of variability in effect sizes. Using multilevel modeling (MLM), the authors investigate characteristics of 207 effect sizes across 22 studies published between 1990 and 2007 at two levels: the study (between) and individual (within) levels. Design quality is a study-level variable. Individual-level variables are median grade retained and median number of years postretention. Quality of design is associated with less negative effects. Years postretention is negatively associated with retention effects, and this effect is stronger for studies using grade comparisons versus age comparisons. The results challenge the widely held view that retention has a negative impact on achievement. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Macro-level Criminological Perspectives and School Delinquency: A Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 0044118X2110223
Author(s):  
Natasha Pusch
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
School Level ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Concentrated Disadvantage ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
School Differences ◽  
Academic Implications

School delinquency in public elementary, middle, and high schools has decreased in recent years, but is still a major issue that has negative mental health and academic implications for adolescents. Although research has focused on both individual-level and school-level explanations of school delinquency, it is not yet clear which macro-level criminological perspectives best explains it. Using 656 effect sizes nested within 75 studies and 30 unique datasets, this study addresses two questions using meta-analytic methods: Which macro-level criminological perspectives explain between-school differences in delinquency? Are effect sizes invariant across samples and research design? Results indicate that only concentrated disadvantage and social cohesion are significantly related to school delinquency. With the exception of concentrated disadvantage, effects are homogenous. This suggests that some school-level explanations are useful and future research should not exclude these factors. Practical implications suggest that improving social cohesion in schools may be more effective at preventing violence than target-hardening efforts.

An Evidence-Based Review and Meta-Analysis of Active Supervision

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-128
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Gage ◽  
Todd Haydon ◽  
Ashley S. MacSuga-Gage ◽  
Emily Flowers ◽  
Lyndsie Erdy
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Calculated Effect ◽  
What Works Clearinghouse

Active supervision—defined as circulating, scanning, interacting with students, and reinforcing demonstrations of expected academic and social behaviors by a teacher or other staff member—is often considered a component of safe and secure schools. Yet, the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of active supervision has not been synthesized or evaluated for its quality. Therefore, we conducted an evidence-based review and meta-analysis of empirical research evaluating the effects of active supervision in schools. We identified 12 research studies evaluating active supervision, assessed the quality of each study, and calculated effect sizes for student behaviors, including disruptive behavior. Results from the four studies meeting data requirements for estimating standardized mean difference effect sizes suggest that, on average, active supervision reduced problem behavior by almost 2.0 standard deviation units. Only four studies met the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) design standards and the results of those were mixed, thus not meeting the WWC evidence-based criteria. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.

What Affects Invalid Voting? A Review and Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Kouba ◽  
Jakub Lysek
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Aggregate Level ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Compulsory Voting ◽  
Level Data ◽  
First Time

Research on invalid voting has expanded rapidly over the past few years. This review article for the first time examines its principal findings and provides a new theoretical perspective on the origins of invalid votes based on a two-dimensional framework. The main results of 54 studies using both individual-level and aggregate-level data as well as the results of experimental and qualitative studies are analysed. The meta-analysis of all existing aggregate-level studies finds that compulsory voting, quality of democracy, fragmentation and closeness of the electoral race play important roles in explaining invalid voting. On the other hand, the research is accompanied by many theoretical and empirical contradictions that hamper the accumulation of knowledge in this field. We therefore conclude by suggesting the challenges for future research.

scholarly journals Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and well-being for children and youth: a protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e043722
Author(s):  
Naomi Priest ◽  
Kate Doery ◽  
Mandy Truong ◽  
Shuaijun Guo ◽  
Ryan Perry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Health And Well Being

IntroductionRacism is a critical determinant of health and health inequities for children and youth. This protocol aims to update the first systematic review conducted by Priest et al (2013), including a meta-analysis of findings. Based on previous empirical data, it is anticipated that child and youth health will be negatively impacted by racism. Findings from this review will provide updated evidence of effect sizes across outcomes and identify moderators and mediators of relationships between racism and health.Methods and analysisThis systematic review and meta-analysis will include studies that examine associations between experiences of racism and racial discrimination with health outcomes of children and youth aged 0–24 years. Exposure measures include self-reported or proxy reported systemic, interpersonal and intrapersonal racism. Outcome measures include general health and well-being, physical health, mental health, biological markers, healthcare utilisation and health behaviours. A comprehensive search of studies from the earliest time available to October 2020 will be conducted. A random effects meta-analysis will examine the average effect of racism on a range of health outcomes. Study-level moderation will test the difference in effect sizes with regard to various sample and exposure characteristics. This review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.Ethics and disseminationThis review will provide evidence for future research within the field and help to support policy and practice development. Results will be widely disseminated to both academic and non-academic audiences through peer-review publications, community summaries and presentations to research, policy, practice and community audiences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020184055.

Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions on Unintentional Injury, Violence, and Suicide: Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802096734
Author(s):  
Mengtong Chen ◽  
Ko Ling Chan
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Unintentional Injury ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Face To Face

Digital technologies are increasingly used in health-care delivery and are being introduced into work to prevent unintentional injury, violence, and suicide to reduce mortality. To understand the potential of digital health interventions (DHIs) to prevent and reduce these problems, we conduct a meta-analysis and provide an overview of their effectiveness and characteristics related to the effects. We searched electronic databases and reference lists of relevant reviews to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in or before March 2020 evaluating DHIs on injury, violence, or suicide reduction. Based on the 34 RCT studies included in the meta-analysis, the overall random effect size was 0.21, and the effect sizes for reducing suicidal ideation, interpersonal violence, and unintentional injury were 0.17, 0.24, and 0.31, respectively, which can be regarded as comparable to the effect sizes of traditional face-to-face interventions. However, there was considerable heterogeneity between the studies. In conclusion, DHIs have great potential to reduce unintentional injury, violence, and suicide. Future research should explore DHIs’ successful components to facilitate future implementation and wider access.

scholarly journals Specificity of Future Thinking in Depression: A Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beau Gamble ◽  
David Moreau ◽  
Lynette J. Tippett ◽  
Donna Rose Addis
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Thinking ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
The Relationship

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory has been well established in depression, but whether this ‘overgenerality’ extends to future thinking has not been the focus of a meta-analysis. Following a preregistered protocol, we searched six electronic databases, Google Scholar, personal libraries, and contacted authors in the field for studies matching search terms related to depression, future thinking, and specificity. We reduced an initial 7,332 results to 46 included studies, with 89 effect sizes and 4,813 total participants. Random effects meta-analytic modelling revealed a small but robust correlation between reduced future specificity and higher levels of depression (r = .13, p < .001). Of the 11 moderator variables examined, the most striking effects related to the emotional valence of future thinking (p < .001) and the sex of participants (p = .025). Namely, depression was linked to reduced specificity for positive (but not negative or neutral) future thinking, and the relationship was stronger in samples with a higher proportion of males. This meta-analysis contributes to our understanding of how prospection is altered in depression and dysphoria and, by revealing areas where current evidence is inconclusive, highlights key avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Improving the understanding of how patients with non-dystrophic myotonia are selected for myotonia treatment with mexiletine (NaMuscla): outcomes of treatment impact using a European Delphi panel

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Chapman ◽  
Marieke Schurer ◽  
Laure Weijers ◽  
Amer Omar ◽  
Hiba Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Patient Access ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Non-dystrophic myotonias (NDMs) comprise muscle chloride and sodium channelopathies due to genetic defects of the CLCN1- and SCN4A-channels. No licensed antimyotonic treatment has been available until approval of mexiletine (NaMuscla®) for adult patients by the EMA in December 2018. This Delphi panel aimed to understand how outcomes of the pivotal phase III Mexiletine study (MYOMEX) translate to real world practice and investigate health resource use, quality of life and the natural history of NDM to support economic modelling and facilitate patient access. Methods Nine clinical experts in treating NDM took part in a two-round Delphi panel. Their knowledge of NDM and previous use of mexiletine as an off-label treatment prior to NaMuscla’s approval ensured they could provide both qualitative context and quantitative estimates to support economic modelling comparing mexiletine (NaMuscla) to best supportive care. Consensus in four key areas was sought: healthcare resource utilization (HRU), treatment with mexiletine (NaMuscla), patient quality of life (QoL), and the natural history of disease. Concept questions were also asked, considering perceptions on the feasibility of mapping the validated Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life (INQoL) instrument to the generic EQ-5D™, and the potential impact on caregiver QoL. Results Consensus was achieved for key questions including the average long-term dosage of mexiletine (NaMuscla) in practice, the criteria for eligibility of myotonia treatment, the clinical importance of QoL outcomes in MYOMEX, the higher proportion of patients with increased QoL, and the reduction in the need for mental health resources for patients receiving mexiletine (NaMuscla). While consensus was not achieved for other questions, the results demonstrated that most experts felt mexiletine (NaMuscla) reduced the need for HRU and was expected to improve QoL. The QoL mapping exercise suggested that it is feasible to map domains of INQoL to EQ-5D. Points of interest for future research were identified, including that mexiletine (NaMuscla) may slow the annual decrease in QoL of patients over their lifetime, and a significant negative impact on QoL for some caregivers. Conclusions This project successfully provided data from an informed group of clinical experts, complementing the currently available clinical trial data for mexiletine (NaMuscla) to support patient access decisions.

scholarly journals Minor Physical Anomalies in Bipolar Disorder—A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eszter Varga ◽  
András Hajnal ◽  
Alexandra Soós ◽  
Péter Hegyi ◽  
Dóra Kovács ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Bipolar Disorders ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
Quality Of Evidence ◽  
Minor Physical Anomalies ◽  
The Brain

Introduction: Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) may reflect basic neurobiological features underlying bipolar disorders (BPD), as they are sensitive physical indicators of morphogenetic failure of the brain. Despite several researches about the presence of MPAs in BPD, the results are still controversial.Objectives: The aim of the present meta-analysis was to assess the standardized weighted mean effect sizes of MPAs in BPD and to examine if MPAs may be found predominantly in the head and/or facial regions in BPD patients compared to controls (HC).Methods: Four studies, involving 155 patients with BPD, and 187 HC, were involved in the analysis after searching the literature. For the investigation of MPAs in the peripheral (MPA-P) and in the head and facial regions (MPA-CF), two studies involving 121 BPD patients, and 133 HC passed the inclusion criteria.Results: The number of the MPAs in the BPD group was significantly higher compared to HC. Another important finding of the present study is that BPD patients' MPA-P scores do not significantly differ from those of the HC. In contrast, BPD patients' MPA-CF scores were found to be significantly higher compared to HC subjects. It is important to note that there was a low number of eligible publications included, which caused higher heterogeneity.Conclusions: Low quality of evidence suggests that MPAs are more common in patients with BPD than in HC and the higher rate of MPAs is found predominantly in the head and facial regions.

scholarly journals Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Danopoulos ◽  
Lauren Jenner ◽  
Maureen Twiddy ◽  
Jeanette M. Rotchell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Health Effects ◽  
Potential Human Health

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant ubiquitous in the environment. There is growing concern regarding potential human health effects, a major human exposure route being dietary uptake. We have undertaken a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis to identify all relevant research on MP contamination of salt intended for human consumption. Three thousand nine hundred and nineteen papers were identified, with ten fitting the inclusion criteria. A search of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science, from launch date to September 2020, was conducted. MP contamination of salt varied significantly between four origins, sea salt 0–1674 MPs/kg, lake salt 8–462 MPs/kg, rock and well salt 0–204 MPs/kg. The majority of samples were found to be contaminated by MPs. Corresponding potential human exposures are estimated to be 0–6110 MPs per year (for all origins), confirming salt as a carrier of MPs. A bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool was used to appraise the quality of the studies, with studies demonstrating moderate to low RoB. These results suggest that a series of recurring issues need to be addressed in future research regarding sampling, analysis and reporting to improve confidence in research findings.

scholarly journals Comparative clinical trials in psychotherapy: Have large effects been replicated?

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickolas D. Frost ◽  
Thomas W. Baskin ◽  
Bruce E. Wampold
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Average Quality ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Aims The purpose of this review is to examine the replication attempts of psychotherapy clinical trials for depression and anxiety. We focus specifically on replications of trials that exhibit large differences between psychotherapies. The replicability of these trials is especially important for meta-analysis, where the inclusion of false-positive trials can lead to erroneous conclusions about treatment efficacy. Methods Standard replication criteria were developed to distinguish direct from conceptual replication methodologies. Next, an exhaustive literature search was conducted for published meta-analyses of psychotherapy comparisons. Trials that exhibited large effects (d > 0.8) were culled from these meta-analyses. For each trial, a cited replication was conducted to determine if the trial had been subsequently replicated by either ‘direct’ or ‘conceptual’ methods. Finally, a broader search was conducted to examine the extent of replication efforts in the psychotherapy literature overall. Results In the meta-analytic search, a total of N = 10 meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. From these meta-analyses, N = 12 distinct trials exhibited large effect sizes. The meta-analyses containing more than two large effect trials reported evidence for treatment superiority. A cited replication search yielded no direct replication attempts (N = 0) for the trials with large effects, and N = 4 conceptual replication attempts of average or above average quality. However, of these four attempts, only two partially corroborated the results from their original trial. Conclusion Meta-analytic reviews are influenced by trials with large effects, and it is not uncommon for these reviews to contain several such trials. Since we find no evidence that trials with such large effects are directly replicable, treatment superiority conclusions from these reviews are highly questionable. To enhance the quality of clinical science, the development of authoritative replication criteria for clinical trials is needed. Moreover, quality benchmarks should be considered before trials are included in a meta-analysis, or replications are attempted.

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