Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Software programs are extremely suitable for educational purposes because they enable a high level of participation in the learning process. When learning about meta-analysis, however, students so far have generally had to rely solely on books and articles. There are no truly educational software companions to the literature, and the currently available statistical programs are not fit for that purpose. For teaching, there is a similar lack of suitable software. In order to fill this niche, we developed a user-friendly program and called it MIX (Meta-analysis with Interactive eXplanations).
Objectives: The primary objective was to develop a free program that could assist those new to meta-analysis in learning about this methodology in a practical, interactive way.
Methods: After making an inventory of graphical and numerical methods in modern meta-analysis, we started by making a framework for these methods in Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic. After some deliberation, we decided not to take a 'stand-aloneĀ approach but to develop an add-in for Excel. We created a graphical user interface using objects commonly encountered in the Excel environment, and at the same time programmed beyond the limits of standard Excel calculations with Visual Basic for Applications. Output was verified with major statistical packages.
Results: The current version (1.0) of the MIX program has an extensive number of data sets from authoritative books and articles about meta-analysis and offers users the possibility to reproduce virtually all of the graphical and numerical output encountered in their learning material. Besides the comprehensive output, the program also features an Output Tutor and Concept Tutor, providing information about the methods being used. The intuitive graphical interface allows for one-click creation and manipulation of a wide variety of graphs and numerical output, making the program an ideal tool for lectures and workshops. Being an add-in for Excel, users familiar with spreadsheet software will quickly be able to find their way around in the program.
Conclusions: We hope this free program will become a helpful tool for researchers interested in learning, teaching, and performing meta-analysis. For news and downloads, please visit www.mix-for-meta-analysis.info
Objectives: The primary objective was to develop a free program that could assist those new to meta-analysis in learning about this methodology in a practical, interactive way.
Methods: After making an inventory of graphical and numerical methods in modern meta-analysis, we started by making a framework for these methods in Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic. After some deliberation, we decided not to take a 'stand-aloneĀ approach but to develop an add-in for Excel. We created a graphical user interface using objects commonly encountered in the Excel environment, and at the same time programmed beyond the limits of standard Excel calculations with Visual Basic for Applications. Output was verified with major statistical packages.
Results: The current version (1.0) of the MIX program has an extensive number of data sets from authoritative books and articles about meta-analysis and offers users the possibility to reproduce virtually all of the graphical and numerical output encountered in their learning material. Besides the comprehensive output, the program also features an Output Tutor and Concept Tutor, providing information about the methods being used. The intuitive graphical interface allows for one-click creation and manipulation of a wide variety of graphs and numerical output, making the program an ideal tool for lectures and workshops. Being an add-in for Excel, users familiar with spreadsheet software will quickly be able to find their way around in the program.
Conclusions: We hope this free program will become a helpful tool for researchers interested in learning, teaching, and performing meta-analysis. For news and downloads, please visit www.mix-for-meta-analysis.info