Computer Program for Meta Analysis in Mental Health

Meta-analysis is the process of developing a comprehensive picture of a field of research byperforming analyses on summary data from individual studies -- it allows us to synthesize a body ofevidence for the purpose of setting policy or planning future research. Meta-analysis has had asubstantial impact in many fields but in areas such as mental health, where a body of research oftentakes the form of numerous small and inconclusive studies, its potential impact is especially great. Thegoal of this project is to develop a comprehensive computer program for meta-analysis. The programwill allow the researcher to create a database of studies dynamically linked to analytic procedures. Itwill enable the researcher to compute an average effect (working with a wide selection of effect sizeindices) and to study the impact of moderator variables on the effect size. The program will feature ahost of graphic displays that high-light the substantive (as well as statistical) significance of effects, andwill incorporate features to study publication bias, to display a cumulative meta-analysis, and to performa prospective meta-analysis. It will also allow the researcher to create tables and graphs for inclusionin papers and research proposals.