A researcher is interested in conducting a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of increased foot patrols. All the following are legitimate reasons to omit a study from a meta-analysis EXCEPT ______.
A) it is a qualitative study
B) the study found that increased foot patrols were not effective
C) the research methods are much different than those of the included studies
D) it is an unpublished dissertation and the researcher wants to include only published reports

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Excluding a study based on its findings (e.g., because it found that increased foot patrols were not effective) introduces bias into the meta-analysis. The other options (A, C, D) are legitimate reasons related to study design, methodology, and publication status, which can affect the comparability and quality of the evidence being synthesized.

A Researcher Is Interested in Conducting a Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness