KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Resolving Ecological Questions through Meta-Analysis: Goals, Metrics, and Models

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Osenberg_1999.pdf (156.3Kb)
    Issue Date
    1999
    Author
    Osenberg, Craig W.
    Sarnelle, Orlando
    Cooper, Scott D.
    Holt, Robert D.
    Publisher
    Ecological Society of America
    Type
    Article
    Article Version
    Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
    Rights
    Copyright by the Ecological Society of America
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    We evaluate the goals of meta-analysis, critique its recent application in ecology, and highlight an approach that more explicitly links meta-analysis and ecological theory. One goal of meta-analysis is testing null hypotheses of no response to experimental manipulations. Many ecologists, however, are more interested in quantitatively measuring processes and examining their systematic variation across systems and conditions. This latter goal requires a suite of diverse, ecologically based metrics of effect size, with each appropriately matched to an ecological question of interest. By specifying ecological models, we can develop metrics of effect size that quantify the underlying process or response of interest and are insensitive to extraneous factors irrelevant to the focal question. A model will also help to delineate the set of studies that fit the question addressed by the metaanalysis. We discuss factors that can give rise to heterogeneity in effect sizes (e.g., due to differences in experimental protocol, parameter values, or the structure of the models that describe system dynamics) and illustrate this variation using some simple models of plant competition. Variation in time scale will be one of the most common factors affecting a meta-analysis, by introducing heterogeneity in effect sizes. Different metrics will apply to different time scales, and time-series data will be vital in evaluating the appropriateness of different metrics to different collections of studies. We then illustrate the application of ecological models, and associated metrics of effect size, in meta-analysis by discussing and/or synthesizing data on species interactions, mutual interference between consumers, and individual physiology. We also examine the use of metrics when no single, specific model applies to the synthesized studies. These examples illustrate that the diversity of ecological questions demands a diversity of ecologically meaningful metrics of effect size. The successful application of meta-analysis in ecology will benefit by clear and explicit linkages among ecological theory, the questions being addressed, and the metrics used to summarize the available information.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/16736
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[1105:REQTMA]2.0.CO;2
    Collections
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works [1497]
    Citation
    Osenberg, C. W., Sarnelle, O., Cooper, S. D., & Holt, R. D. (1999). Resolving ecological questions through meta-analysis: goals, metrics, and models. Ecology, 80(4), 1105–1117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[1105:REQTMA]2.0.CO;2

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps