The use of meta-analytic software to derive hypotheses for EMDR

In a comment directed at the fallacies of meta-analyses, Kazrin, Durac, and Agteros (1979) imagined a process which they termed a meta-meta-analysis. Stating that “the strength of the meta-metaanalysis, like the unfortunate person stranded on a desert island, is that it will look at anything” (p. 397), they whimsically argued how this process, directed at psychotherapy effectiveness, utilised 850,000 therapists and 2,000,000 clients. Such tongue in cheek warnings regarding the misuse of meta-analyses while evaluating psychotherapy effectiveness should be taken seriously. Indeed, looking at the inclusion and exclusion criteria within metaanalyses, Barlow (2010) warns us of cherry-picking studies stating that “it is easy to sit back and ‘pick-off’ any new study and conclude that it’s not ‘perfect’” (p. 16). For this reason, Barlow argues, we need to be very cautious when similar meta-analyses include different studies and come to different conclusions.

Journal

English

Grant J. Devilly
Miyuki Ono
Jeffrey M. Lohr

Devilly, G. J., Ono, M., & Lohr, J. M. (2013, March). The use of meta-analytic software to derive hypotheses for EMDR. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 45(1), 223-225. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.10.004