Limitations and Challenges in Meta-analytic steps

In meta-analysis, researchers integrate findings from similar studies in order to arrive at a quantitative summary of previous studies of a particular issue. Meta-analysis is nowadays increasingly used to review quantitative research literature and has replaced traditional narrative review formats. In spite of its numerous advantages and its appeal as a powerful research methodology, researchers in the humanities should be aware of the important disadvantages and risks of meta-analysis. In this work, I draw on valuable introductions to meta-analysis in order to summarize some limitations and disadvantages of this method. A range of issues pertaining to steps in meta-analytic research are discussed. These include problems in the identification of original studies, issues with the inclusion or exclusion of research, suggestions for coding studies, limitations in measuring effect sizes and their weights, and the variable quality of what is being meta-analyzed. This presentation provides suggestions for obtaining competence in addressing these methodological issues in research in the humanities.