This workshop is designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in conducting ecological meta-analysis. The workshop is organised by P13 (WSL Birmensdorf). Participants will learn how to:

• conceptualize a meta-analysis,
• frame research questions in a format that can be implemented with meta-analysis,
• choose appropriate statistical models,
• search for the data,
• carry out the analysis, and
• interpret, evaluate and present the results.

Objectives

Participants will become familiar with what meta-analysis is, where it comes from, some examples of how it has been used in ecology, and its major strengths, weaknesses, advantages and limitations as a tool for the quantitative summary of research results. They will become familiar with using MetaWin 2.0 software to do the calculations involved in typical ecological meta-analyses, and learn how to interpret the output. They will be introduced to issues and methods for gathering data from the scientific literature to use in ecological meta-analysis, learn how to organize and input those data into MetaWin. They will conduct a preliminary meta-analysis on their own data or on other ecological data. Finally, they will learn how to evaluate and critique the results.

Participants

Students and researchers with interest in data analysis methods across single experiments or data sets - active participation, at best with own data set. The Software (MetaWin; link) can be provided beforehand for data preparation and import.

Application

Send your application directly to Felix Gugerli (Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - your name, partner # and name, address, type of data if available). The deadline is May 15th, 2008. Applications are considered in the order of receipt (limit: 15 participants). Further information and details on travel and lodging options will be provided to participants. Costs for travelling and lodging will be reimbursed through Evoltree (SEA1).

Lecturer

Dr. Jessica Gurevitch, University of New York, Stony Brook (link)

Format

Lectures, demonstrations of methods, hands-on experience using MetaWin 2.0 software with ample opportunities for questions and feedback, group discussions and presentations.