Face validity of meta-analyses in emotional or behavioral disorders

Abstract

Meta-analysis is often assumed to be the sine qua non of quantitative research. However, face validity of published meta-analyses in emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD), as in other areas, can be substantially impacted by the information supplied. The quality of information reported, therefore, can also have important implications for theory and practice. This analytical narrative review summarizes and examines 36 E/BD meta-analyses across six domains of information necessary for securing face validity. Results indicate a wide variation in the amount of reported data similar to other analyses of the meta-analytical literature in special education.