Author Question: The textbook, in table 11.3, provides a summary of many meta-analytic studies that have been ... (Read 76 times)

jazziefee

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 505
The textbook, in table 11.3, provides a summary of many meta-analytic studies that have been conducted looking at the differences between men and women. Summarize the trends of this research.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Summarize the basic concept and result of meta-analysis. Mention the statistic used and describe the formula used to calculate it. What advantage does meta-analysis provide researchers in personality theory?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



sierrahalpin

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 329
Answer to Question 1

Answer: A number of conclusions can be drawn from this long list of studies. The student may review the points made in the textbook or may have some thoughts of their own regarding trends. It is obvious that many studies have looked at the difference between males in females using a plethora of dependent variables. It is a very important research area a large number of scientists. Overall, it is quite remarkable how few differences have proven to be significant. The most consistent differences, with meaningful effect sizes, have been in the areas of physical attributes, such as height; some aspects of sexuality, such as attitudes towards casual sex; and qualities desired in a potential mate. Negative results, in which there is no evidence of differences, are quite telling. There are no differences in general intelligence, and even differences in verbal ability are trivial.

There are some differences in the nature of mental disorders experienced by each group, with women having higher rates of mood disorders and men having higher rates of drug abuse, autism, learning disorders, and sexual disorders.

There are many other comparisons that can be drawn from this chapter. A good answer will have an overview and a couple of examples.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: The two main advantages of meta-analysis are that it allows a researcher to combine the results of many different studies and that it provides an estimate of the size of the effect of the independent variables in question. When an experiment is conducted comparing two or more groups on one or more independent variables, a statistic such as a t-test will tell you if the differences between the groups on the dependent variable(s) are significant or not. The meta-analysis statistic (d) will give you an estimate of the effect size. This is particularly important when looking at differences between men and women because with a large sample some very small differences will be statistically significant. Meta-analysis lets you look at many studies that have looked at the same variables and see if by combining their results the effect still holds and lets you estimate how large the effect is in a range from trivial to very large. The d statistic is basically the average of one group minus the average of the other group (in this case, males vs. females) on a dependent variable, divided by the average standard deviation of all the scores combined.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

Over time, chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections can progress to advanced liver disease, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unlike other forms, more than 80% of hepatitis C infections become chronic and lead to liver disease. When combined with hepatitis B, hepatitis C now accounts for 75% percent of all cases of liver disease around the world. Liver failure caused by hepatitis C is now leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.

Did you know?

In 2010, opiate painkllers, such as morphine, OxyContin®, and Vicodin®, were tied to almost 60% of drug overdose deaths.

Did you know?

Not getting enough sleep can greatly weaken the immune system. Lack of sleep makes you more likely to catch a cold, or more difficult to fight off an infection.

Did you know?

Asthma attacks and symptoms usually get started by specific triggers (such as viruses, allergies, gases, and air particles). You should talk to your doctor about these triggers and find ways to avoid or get rid of them.

Did you know?

There are approximately 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States each year.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library