Integrating research evidence: A commentary on meta-analysis.

Discusses (1) the need to specify the null hypothesis and the danger of posing overly broad questions; (2) the adequacy of the empirical data base and its poor correspondence to clinical realities; (3) the frequent confounding of variables, particularly when data are aggregated across studies; (4) the limitations of multivariate statistical methods; (5) the variable quality of research, with particular stress on the proper treatment of poor-quality research; and (6) the apparent objectivity of meta-analytic methods. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating mental health services within primary care. A Canadian program

The increasingly prominent role of the family physician in delivering mental health care can be enhanced if productive and collaborative relationships can be established with local mental health services. This paper describes a Canadian program that has achieved this by bringing mental health counselors and psychiatrists into the offices of 87 family physicians in 35 practices in a community in Southern Ontario. The paper describes the program, the activities of counselors and psychiatrists within the practices, and the administrative structures set up to coordinate these activities. Data is presented from the evaluation of the first year of the program's operation (13 practices and 45 family physicians) during which time 3085 referrals were received. The program made mental health care more available and accessible, increased continuity of care, provided additional support for the family physician, offered new opportunities for continuing education, and led to a reduced and more efficient use of other mental health services. The components of the program can be adapted to most communities.     

A crash research program for peace.

A letter raising questions and requesting information about encouraging nonphysical sciences (social and biological) to solve the problems of "our very survival," about the position of the government represented on a huge research program of a "crash" nature sponsored by the United Nations at a cost of several billions of dollars "for the purpose of scientifically investigating the phenomenon of war," and an indication of reasons that would favor an affirmative vote on the research proposal was sent to head representatives of each of the 81 nations in the United Nations. 26 replies were received. Replies were classified as negative (6), favorably inclined (2), favorable (3), "can not evaluate" (5), and "being considered" (10). Statements excerpted from the replies are presented. A major reason for not supporting the proposed program was "a skepticism concerning the value of its outcome." Results are briefly discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Much ado about the full moon: A meta-analysis of lunar-lunacy research.

Conducted a meta-analysis of 37 published and unpublished studies to examine relations between phases of the moon; type of lunar cycle; sex; publication practices; geographical features (latitude, population density); and several types of lunacy, including mental hospital admissions, psychiatric disturbances, crisis calls, homicides, and other criminal offenses. Results of effect-size estimates show that phases of the moon accounted for no more than 1% of the variance in activities usually termed lunacy. Alleged relations between phases of the moon and behavior can be traced to inappropriate analyses, a failure to take other (e.g., weekly) cycles into account, and a willingness to accept any departure from chance as evidence of a lunar effect. (3? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A meta-analysis and review of organizational research on job involvement.

The author develops a theoretical framework relating job involvement to its antecedents. correlates, and consequences and reports meta-analyses of 51 pairwise relationships involving job involvement. Results of the meta-analyses support research suggesting that job involvement is influenced by personality and situational variables. Job involvement was strongly related to job and work attitudes but not to role perceptions, behavioral work outcomes, negative "side effects," or demographic variables. Moderator analyses indicated little difference in the strength of relationships based on involvement measure. The author found modest but systematic differences in the strength of relationships between studies of employees of public versus private organizations. He compares and contrasts the results of this study with meta-analytic findings regarding organizational commitment, discusses important theoretical considerations in the research stream, and offers suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Man-into-space: A tool and program for research in the social sciences.

The announcement of plans to launch the first earth satellites provides the opportunity to begin an unparalleled series of studies concerning processes as they occur in our culture and in less complex cultures; the opportunity to undertake a systematic series of studies in depth and over time, tracing out the evolution of differential impacts of a radical invention on many aspects of the human complex. Such studies could make significant contributions to our understanding of the dynamics of acculturation. Areas of study might involve; "Knowledge and understanding of technical concepts associated with MIS" (man into space), "The broad values and beliefs people have concerning MIS" and "The present and future perceptions that people have of the role of MIS in their own lives." The subject of MIS forms an ideal tool for studying the processes of social change, acculturation, and perceptual reorganization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating psychotherapy research and practice: Modeling the change process.

Identifies factors responsible for the slowness over the years of psychotherapy researchers to utilize intensive analysis procedures. These factors include the uncritical utilization of conventional research methodologies, the failure to distinguish between different types of intensive analysis designs, the assumption that intensive analysis is necessarily unscientific, and the fact that the behavioral single-case experimental design is inappropriate for studying other forms of therapy. The task-analysis approach to psychotherapy research is presented as a methodologically rigorous alternative to the behavioral single-case experimental design. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Investigator characteristics as moderators of personnel selection research: A meta-analysis.

Surrogate measures of original authors' reward context, primary motivation for doing the research, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) were examined for their affect on criterion-related validities reported in the Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology between 1964 and 1992. Number of years of experience (a surrogate KSA measure) displayed no moderating relationship. Type of organizational need (equal employment opportunity compliance, augmenting existing selection system, etc.) and investigator interests (e.g., theory testing) were related to criterion-related validities. Place of authors' employment (i.e., reward context) also displayed a moderating relationship (authors in private industry reported higher average validities in comparison with academics). Interaction effects on criterion-related validities were found between authors' experience and (1) place of employment and (2) primary motivation for conducting the research. Results are interpreted in view of possible differences in ability, motivation, and opportunity to do research across employment settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inducing development experimentally: Comments on a research program.

The popular "training" studies, most of which have been devoted to the attempt to experimentally induce conservation in nonconserving Ss, are discussed with respect to the logic underlying the method and surrounding theoretical and methodological difficulties. The following major difficulties are discussed: (a) ambiguity as to the intent of many of the studies; (b) lack of agreement on methodological criteria for inferring change, and ambiguity in actual application of even the most stringent (Genevan) criteria; (c) a related lack of theoretical agreement as to what a conservation judgment reflects; and (d) the difficulty of inducing cognitive restructuring by means of brief interventions. It is argued that whether the intent of conservation training studies has been to elucidate Piaget's view of conservation attainment or to refute it, results have been similarly ambiguous and inconclusive, and researchers' interest in performing such studies has consequently declined. Several suggestions for modification of the training study research strategy are made. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A meta-analysis of controlled research on social skills training for schizophrenia.

A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials of social skills training for schizophrenia was conducted. Outcome measures from 22 studies including 1,521 clients were categorized according to a proximal-distal continuum in relation to the presumed site of action of skills training interventions, with content mastery tests and performance-based measures of skills assumed to be most proximal, community functioning and negative symptoms intermediate, and general symptoms and relapse most distal. Results reveal a large weighted mean effect size for content-mastery exams (d = 1.20), a moderate mean effect size for performance-based measures of social and daily living skills (d = 0.52), moderate mean effect sizes for community functioning (d = 0.52) and negative symptoms (d = 0.40), and small mean effect sizes for other symptoms (d = 0.15) and relapse (d = 0.23). These results support the efficacy of social skills training for improving psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Twenty years of bogus pipeline research: A critical review and meta-analysis.

The bogus pipeline (BPL), a procedure intended to improve the truthfulness of self-reports, was examined in terms of the validity of its effects, its optimal procedural format, and its appropriate domain of use. Social psychological research that has used the BPL is reviewed and meta-analyzed. 31 studies were coded for effect size and relevant procedural characteristics. A significant mean BPL vs control condition effect was evident across these studies, indicating that the BPL engendered reliable effects consistent with a reduction in socially desirable responding. The BPL produced larger effects when task instructions required Ss to guess the BPL's output. These findings, coupled with previous indirect validation, provide reasonable documentation that the BPL shifts self-reports toward veracity. Past criticisms of the BPL are considered, and recommendations for its future use are made. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A meta-analysis of single subject design writing intervention research.

There is considerable concern that students do not develop the writing skills needed for school, occupational, or personal success. A frequent explanation for this is that schools do not do a good job of teaching this complex skill. A recent meta-analysis of true- and quasi-experimental writing intervention research (S. Graham & D. Perin, 2007a) addressed this issue by identifying effective instructional writing practices. The current review extends this earlier work by conducting a meta-analysis of single subject design writing intervention studies. The authors located 88 single subject design studies where it was possible to calculate an effect size. They calculated an average effect size for treatments that were tested in 4 or more studies, using a similar outcome measure in each study. This resulted in the identification of 9 writing treatments that were supported as effective. These were strategy instruction for planning/drafting, teaching grammar and usage, goal setting for productivity, strategy instruction for editing, writing with a word processor, reinforcing specific writing outcomes, use of prewriting activities, teaching sentence construction skills, and strategy instruction for paragraph writing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Statistically combining independent studies: A meta-analysis of sex differences in conformity research.

Compares traditional (literary) reviews of research in social psychology with a statistical approach. It is concluded on both abstract and practical grounds that adoption of the statistical approach would lead to theoretical progress for the research area covered. A meta-analysis "package" is described and then applied to the question of whether there are sex differences in degree of conformity. The meta-analysis is yoked to a literary analysis, and conclusions of differing direction and confidence appear. Problems in application are encountered, and appropriate courses of action are discussed. Finally, limitations on the power of the procedure are outlined. (69 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating the real and academic worlds: An experienced-based research training model.

Notes that a shift toward more applied settings of employment among research psychologists has focused attention on the need to develop training models to prepare psychologists for careers in applied/evaluative research. A research practicum course sequence is suggested as a training device for developing applied skills during graduate training. The research practica in a doctoral program in applied research and evaluation are described. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

EasyMA: a program for the meta-analysis of clinical trials

Primary malignant melanoma of the mucosa of the nasal and paranasal sinuses is rare, difficult to treat, and usually has a poor prognosis. Seven cases, six women and one man (mean age 76.5 years), were treated at the Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid, Spain) during the period 1982-1994. The presenting symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, morphology, therapeutic modalities, histological evaluation, and clinical course were reviewed. Three patients were treated surgically and three received palliative irradiation. All had local recurrence or distant metasfases within 15 months after concluding treatment. The seventh patient refused treatment.     

Primary prevention in aircraft disasters: Integrating research and practice.

The integration of rigorous scientific research with program development and implementation is essential in new areas of psychological practice, such as primary prevention for aircraft disaster victims. Research on primary prevention for air disasters can provide practical information on how to help victims cope with traumatic events, as well as contributing to theoretical understanding about the role of trauma in the development of psychopathology. Both epidemiological research on the mental health effects of disasters and practitioner experiences are used in this article to identify high risk groups and types of primary prevention interventions for air disasters. Practical suggestions are provided for research in this area, including discussions of design issues, access to victims, selection of instruments, and issues involved in obtaining funding. Implications of media attention and litigation also are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes: A meta-analysis of research findings.

A meta-analysis of 41 studies examined the effect of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes in a variety of settings with both child and adult samples. Results indicated that providing choice enhanced intrinsic motivation, effort, task performance, and perceived competence, among other outcomes. Moderator tests revealed the effect of choice on intrinsic motivation was stronger (a) for instructionally irrelevant choices compared to choices made between activities, versions of a task, rewards, and instructionally relevant options, (b) when 2 to 4 successive choices were given, (c) when rewards were not given after the choice manipulation, (d) when participants given choice were compared to the most controlling forms of control groups, (e) for children compared to adults, (f) for designs that yoked choice and control conditions compared to matched designs in which choice was reduced or designs in which nonyoked, nonmatched controls were used, and (g) when the experiment was conducted in a laboratory embedded in a natural setting. Implications for future research and applications to real-world settings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating research findings into the practice of group psychotherapy.

Reviewers of the group psychotherapy literature have repeatedly described a "gulf" between researchers and practitioners. The present authors' examination of the reasons for this rift shows that some of the difficulties are due to stereotypical thinking on both sides; others imply constructive criticisms. Suggestions designed to bridge the gap are made in the hope that more attention to available group therapy research can ultimately lead to improved services and to empirically sound theories that can provide guidance to the practitioner. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)