The original authors respond to a critique of their meta-analysis of 94 studies which had failed to support the presence of distinctive Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children profiles for learning disabled children. The critique contended such a pattern does exist. (Author/DB)

The paper reviews via meta-analysis 23 research studies investigating the Feingold hypotheses which suggests diet modification as a treatment for hyperactivity. Findings indicate that diet modification is not an effective intervention for hyperactivity as evidenced by the negligible treatment effects (only slightly greater than those expected by…

This meta-analysis examined 152 studies on social skill deficits among students with learning disabilities (LD). Quantitative synthesis showed that about 75% of students with LD manifest social skill deficits that distinguish them from comparison samples. Approximately the same level of group differentiation was found across different raters…

Meta-analysis was used to arrive at a quantitative synthesis of the results of 94 studies of the validity of Wechsler regroupings for differential diagnosis of learning disabilities. The primary findings indicated that no recategorization, profile, factor cluster, or pattern showed a significant difference between learning disabled and normal…

A meta-analysis of 53 studies on social skills training of children with learning disabilities found a mean effect size of only 0.211, with few differences among teachers, peers, or children themselves who judged the effectiveness of the training. Discussion focuses on possible links between learning disabilities and social skills that might…

A meta-analysis of 268 studies suggested a deficit in subjects with mental retardation (compared to controls without mental retardation) across 12 categories of learning tasks, a relative deficit which remained, after training, across 7 categories of strategies. When strategy training was evaluated, the effect size was 0.701, which compares…

Explains how meta-analysis can be used to estimate the effectiveness of various teaching strategies in special education and related services. Identifies specific interventions with combined effect sizes that indicate either effectiveness (such as mnemonic strategies, enhancing reading comprehension), promise of effectiveness (stimulant drugs,…

This response to Dunn (EC 221 793) reaffirms the conclusions of a meta analysis on modality-based instruction, through elaboration of the study's selection criteria and methodological factors. Although modality-based instruction is seen to be intuitively appealing, educators are encouraged, instead, to apply instructional methods of proven…

A meta-analysis of 267 studies conducted between 1950-1980 found that auditory and visual perceptual skills can successfully increase the accuracy of predicting reading achievement, but the magnitude of increases in predictive accuracy was contingent upon the combination of variables studied and was significantly reduced if an IQ score was known.…

In this discussion of quantitative research synthesis, past criticisms of meta-analysis are reviewed along with the ways they have been addressed. Objections to single-subject synthesis methods are discussed, along with the advantages of using the percentage-of- nonoverlapping-data metric. The article concludes by questioning the veracity of…

Summarizes recent findings from a meta-analysis on the use and effectiveness of medication as a treatment for ADHD. Expresses concern that teachers and parents may not fully realize that stimulants are still a crucial part of the overall treatment for these children. Concludes that psychological intervention can be complemented with intervention…

This article reviews 24 meta-analyses concerned with special education interventions and draws tentative conclusions about the relative power of interventions as determined by magnitude of mean effect size for each. Highest effect sizes were obtained for use of mnemonic strategies, reading comprehension strategies, behavior modification, and…

Synthesizes findings from 36 studies that validated the Dunn and Dunn Model of Learning-Style Preferences. Questions are raised regarding the validity of the model, the nature of the literature base, the interpretation of the meta-analytic findings, and the conclusions. The article concludes that the model has not been adequately validated.…

This study used meta-analyses to evaluate the relative effectiveness of a variety of educational interventions with students who have disabilities. A graph of average effect sizes for 18 interventions shows the demonstrated effectiveness of mnemonic training, reading comprehension instruction, behavior modification, direct instruction,…

A literature search identified 39 studies assessing modality preferences and modality teaching. The studies, involving 3,087 disabled and nondisabled elementary/secondary level subjects, were quantitatively synthesized. Subjects receiving differential instruction based on modality preferences exhibited only modest gains. (Author/JDD)