Rozas Lisa Werkmeister, Klein Waldo C
School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, 1798 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117, USA.
J Evid Based Soc Work. 2010 Oct;7(5):387-99. doi: 10.1080/15433710903344116.
Both meta-analysis and traditional literature or narrative reviews strive to compile a great deal of information in an accessible and succinct manner. In recent years, social work researchers have been turning toward meta-analysis to identify issues in large areas of research. In order for meta-analysis to be a rigorous and objective source of information there are a certain set of assumptions that must be met about how to carry out the process of including and excluding various studies. However, when these assumptions are not met, the information provided can be misleading. Traditional literature reviews continue to offer a valid and important way to identify existing patterns and gaps in social work research. In fact, because they draw not only on quantitative (as does meta-analysis) but also qualitative studies their reach may often be broader. This paper examines the strengths, weaknesses and utility of both practices in social work research today.
元分析与传统文献综述或叙述性综述都力求以一种易于理解且简洁的方式汇编大量信息。近年来，社会工作研究者们转向元分析，以识别广泛研究领域中的问题。为了使元分析成为严谨且客观的信息来源，对于如何开展纳入和排除各类研究的过程，必须满足一系列特定假设。然而，当这些假设未得到满足时，所提供的信息可能会产生误导。传统文献综述仍然是识别社会工作研究中现有模式和空白的有效且重要的方式。事实上，由于它们不仅借鉴定量研究（如元分析那样），还借鉴定性研究，其涵盖范围往往可能更广。本文探讨了当今社会工作研究中这两种方法的优缺点及效用。
