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What works?: selectivity models and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Copas J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of the royal statistical society: series a (statistics in society)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.103
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-985X
pISSN - 0964-1998
DOI - 10.1111/1467-985x.00123
Subject(s) - meta analysis , selection (genetic algorithm) , sensitivity (control systems) , econometrics , psychology , selection bias , computer science , statistics , economics , artificial intelligence , mathematics , medicine , electronic engineering , engineering
What works seeks to identify rehabilitative treatments which are successful in reducing the likelihood that offenders will reoffend. A large number of small case–control studies have been reported in the literature, but with conflicting results. Meta‐analysis has been used to reconcile these findings, but again with conflicting results. We reanalyse one of the published meta‐analyses in the corrections literature and argue the importance of specifically modelling heterogeneity and selection bias. A sensitivity approach is advocated, suggesting lower average effects and substantially increased measures of uncertainty. The method is tested on a medical example where independent confirmation from a large controlled trial is also available.