185 – Strategies, Issues, and Examples for Teaching Statistics in Health Sciences
Teaching Meta-Analysis: Concepts, Controversies, and Resources
Deborah Dawson
University of Iowa
DR Blanchette
University of Iowa
Countless meta-analyses are published annually, representing a substantial subset of the literature consumed by researchers, health professionals and, especially, by trainees in the health and life sciences. Such publications represent potentially useful tools for both the researcher and the busy practitioner, provided that the reader is able to understand their implications - and their limitations. Approaches to the presentation of meta-analysis to students in the health and life sciences are outlined, emphasizing conceptual understanding and interpretation, as well as an appreciation for the more controversial aspects of meta-analysis. Interactive classroom approaches are discussed, and resources to enhance consideration of this important topic are shared. These include bibliographies, helpful web sites, consideration of graphics, software, and freely available instructional materials. Developing approaches to the systematic evaluation of the quality of published meta-analyses are described. Finally, some of the more recent innovations within meta-analytic methodology are referenced.