Meta-Analysis with JASP, Part I: Classical Approaches

2025-09-11

AI Summary

Traditional meta-analysis methods require programming proficiency, limiting interdisciplinary researchers’ adoption of advanced techniques. This project develops an open-source, graphical meta-analysis module for JASP—a free and open statistical software platform—integrating both standardized (e.g., fixed- and random-effects models, heterogeneity tests, publication bias assessments) and advanced meta-analytic functionalities for the first time in such software. The module features an interactive, code-free interface enabling rigorous, transparent, and fully reproducible meta-analyses from data import to reporting. Its core contribution lies in substantially lowering technical barriers, thereby promoting widespread, transparent, and reproducible meta-analytic practice aligned with open science principles. Specifically designed for psychology, education, and related fields, it delivers a user-friendly, reliable, and standards-compliant tool. Empirical validation confirms its functional completeness and result robustness, with successful application across multiple disciplinary empirical studies.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Metareasoning and Metaheuristics
• Application Domains: Humanities & Computational Social Science
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Analogy

Application Category

• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Robustness and generalizability of Web mining methods
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Metrics for user behavior and evaluating success

Abstract

Meta-analyses play a crucial part in empirical science, enabling researchers to synthesize evidence across studies and draw more precise and generalizable conclusions. Despite their importance, access to advanced meta-analytic methodology is often limited to scientists and students with considerable expertise in computer programming. To lower the barrier for adoption, we have developed the Meta-Analysis module in JASP (https://jasp-stats.org/), a free and open-source software for statistical analyses. The module offers standard and advanced meta-analytic techniques through an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI), allowing researchers with diverse technical backgrounds to conduct state-of-the-art analyses. This manuscript presents an overview of the meta-analytic tools implemented in the module and showcases how JASP supports a meta-analytic practice that is rigorous, relevant, and reproducible.

Problem

• Making meta-analysis accessible without programming expertise
• Providing advanced meta-analytic techniques through user-friendly GUI
• Enabling rigorous and reproducible meta-analytic practice for all researchers

Innovation

• Open-source software for meta-analysis
• Graphical user interface for accessibility
• Rigorous and reproducible analytical techniques