H. M. Cooper (1988) has developed a taxonomy that classified literature reviews based on six characteristics: (1) focus of attention; (2) goal of the synthesis; (3) perspective on the literature; (4) coverage of the literature; (5) organization of the perspective; and (6) intended audience. One hundred and three meta-analyses identified from the literature on educational achievement were coded according to Cooper's taxonomy. Research outcomes were the focus in a majority of the meta-analyses while research methods and theory building or assessment were the focus in less than 10 percent of the meta-analyses. Generalization was a goal of all the meta-analyses, while linguistic bridge building, which deals with theories, was a goal in 12 percent of the meta-analyses. Perspectives of these meta-analyses were fairly evenly divided between neutral and espousal of a position. Findings were arranged conceptually in all of the meta-analyses, and were also arranged methodologically in slightly fewer than half. Practitioners were the usual intended audience. Using the taxonomy of reviews to classify meta-analyses can help readers assess study quality and can provide a framework for those who are conducting and publishing meta-analyses. Appendix A lists the meta-analyses included in this exploration; Appendix B lists identified studies specifically excluded. (Contains 6 tables and 10 references.) (SLD)