META ANALYSIS

STA5MA

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

The literature abounds with findings that collectively may offer important new insights for the betterment of the medical, psychological and life sciences, to name just a few. This subject is designed to provide students with the ability to combine estimated measures of evidence, known as effects, from comparable studies to increase power. Estimators are introduced which are commonly found in meta-analytic research and pitfalls are discussed. On completion of the subject, the student will have an understanding of the different effects that can be collected from the literature as well as an appreciation of how effect sizes arising from data measured on different scales can be combined. Importantly, this subject also shows students how meta-regression can be used to account for study-specific covariates that cannot be adequately accounted for using random-effects models. The freely available software packages R and RevMan are used throughout the subject.

School: Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Luke Prendergast

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be admitted in the Master of Data Science (SMDS) and have passed STM4PSD or both STA4SS and STM4PM Other students require Coordinators Approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Online learning materials

Resource Type: Web resource

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Prendergast

Year: 2017

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: La Trobe University

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Present clear, well-structured arguments that validate the combination of effect sizes from several studies that may differ in several aspects, including with respect to moderators and data measurement scales.
02. Describe summary output from meta-analyses in a manner which can be understood by scientists with weak statistical backgrounds, but with knowledge from the discipline for which the research question is of interest.
03. Demonstrate an expert understanding of the use of statistical software packages by carrying out valid analyses of real meta-data and providing clear interpretations of all computer output.
04. Critique and summarise published meta-analyses, clearly highlighting weaknesses and flaws that undermine the key findings.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Luke Prendergast

Class requirements

Computer LaboratoryWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours computer laboratory every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Approximately two hours per week of videos and readings.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Online quizzes (750-word equivalent)There are 5 short quizzes throughout the semester. Students can attempt each quiz a maximum of three times and the best mark for that quiz taken. Randomly assigned questions for each quiz instance.

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO2, SILO3

Two written assignments submitted online (each 750-word equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO3

Written Project (2250-word equivalent)Students must choose a recently published meta-analysis for appraisal/critique. The chosen paper must be pre-approved by the Subject Coordinator. Project must include replication of the presented results which will form part of the assessment.

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

One 2-hour final examination

N/AN/AN/ANo50SILO1, SILO2, SILO4