Advancing Meta‐Analytic Methods in L2 Research

Research synthesis and meta-analysis (RS/MA) comprise a powerful means of aggregating empirical findings and advancing knowledge within a given research domain. Several key features distinguish this approach from more traditional types of literature reviews. First, RS/MA adheres to a set of principles in all stages that limit researcher bias and idiosyncrasy. Second, RS/MA aims for transparency. In this chapter, the authors briefly lay out the major stages involved in conducting a meta-analysis as well as some of the many decision points encountered along the way. They introduce and describe current and future developments in the application of meta-analysis in second language research. The fundamentals of meta-analysis are well established. Interrater (also referred to as intercoder) reliability and agreement are forms of rater accuracy that are prerequisite for determining the validity and replicability of meta-analytic results.