Meta-analysis as an undergraduate research experience

Background/Question/Methods Collaborative research between faculty and students at undergraduate institutions is often expected to produce publishable results in addition to educational benefits for the students involved. Conducting productive research in ecology at undergraduate institutions often involves challenges involving such issues as maintaining research continuity across time, synchronizing the availability of research effort with the timing of biologically important events, and quality control.
Results/Conclusions Meta-analysis techniques provide a rigorous approach to synthesis of existing data that includes most of the elements found in more conventional research projects, including framing hypotheses, organizing and assessing data, statistical analysis and interpretation, and graphical, written and verbal communication of findings. Because meta-analysis does not involve primary data collection, it avoids many of the difficulties associated with conducting conventional research experiences with undergraduate students. Meta-analysis can therefore facilitate collaborations between faculty and undergraduate students that produce meaningful contributions to ecological knowledge, while providing a highly intellectually-stimulating experience for the students involved.