Issues arising from the use of effect sizes in analysing and reporting research

Coe, R.

Issues arising from the use of effect sizes in analysing and reporting research

Coe, R.

Authors

R. Coe

Contributors

I. Schagen
Editor

K. Elliot
Editor

Abstract

Effect sizes may be seen as an alternative - or supplement - to the use of statistical significance tests. A number of arguments for their use in this way are put forward. These include the potential of effect sizes to emphasise amounts, not just directions, to avoid inappropriate dichotomies, to reduce confusion over the meaning of 'significance', to draw attention to issues of statistical power, to lessen the 'file drawer' problem, to promote synthesis rather than disagreement and to allow the accumulation of knowledge through the combination and comparison of the results of different studies. However, the use and interpretation of effect sizes are not without problems, including questions of which type of measure to use, sensitivity to violations of assumptions and interpretations in cases of restricted range or variance, non-normality or unreliable measures.

Citation

Coe, R. (2004). Issues arising from the use of effect sizes in analysing and reporting research. In I. Schagen, & K. Elliot (Eds.), But what does it mean? The use of effect sizes in educational research (80-100). National Foundation for Educational Research

Publication Date	Jun 1, 2004
Deposit Date	Feb 12, 2007
Pages	80-100
Book Title	But what does it mean? The use of effect sizes in educational research.
Publisher URL	http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/SEF01