Meta-analysis in Agricultural and Environmental Research (296628)
Course coordinator
Course description
Introduce students to the basic principles of meta-analysis as a method of synthesizing scientific evidence in the fields of agriculture, environment and resource management.
Enable students to plan and conduct simple meta-analysis, including a systematic literature review and calculation of basic effect sizes.
Develop the ability to critically interpret meta-analysis results and assess heterogeneity and potential bias.
Encourage the application of meta-analytic results in the context of evidence-based decision making, especially in the formulation of sustainable agriculture and environmental management policies.
Develop analytical competencies necessary for the integration of scientific knowledge into the processes of planning and management of natural resources at the national and international levels.
Type of course
- Graduate studies / Environment, agriculture and resource management (Elective course, 4 semester, 2 year)
ECTS: 3.00
Teaching hours: 30
Lectures: 20
Practicum: 10
Lecturer
Associate teacher for exercises
Associate teacher for seminars
Grading
Sufficient (2): 60–70%
Good (3): 71–80%
Very good (4): 81–90%
Excellent (5): 91–100%
Description
Project (mini meta-analysis): 50%
Presentation: 20%
Final exam (written or oral exam): 30%
Types of instruction
- Lectures
- Other forms of group or individual learning
- Practicum
- Design exercises
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcome | Evaluation methods |
|---|---|
| 1. Explain the basic principles of meta-analysis and systematic literature review. 2. Define a research question suitable for a meta-analytic approach. 3. Calculate basic effect sizes. 4. Apply a basic meta-analysis model (fixed and random effects). 5. Interpret heterogeneity and forest plot results. 6. Critically evaluate meta-analysis results in the context of environmental and agricultural research. |
Working methods
Students' obligations
Regular class attendance
Completion of a mini meta-analysis (project)
Presentation of results
Taking a final exam or evaluating the project
Weekly class schedule
- Introduction to meta-analysis - Method development and application in the agriculture and environment
- Systematic review framework - Structured process and methodology, including formulating research questions, literature search strategies, risk-of-bias assessment, data extraction, synthesis, and reporting
- Effect sizes - Effect sizes – Convert study outcomes (e.g., means, SDs, p-values) into a common metric like Cohen's d or Pearson's r, compute weighted mean calculations; visual dana representation (forest plot)
- Effect sizes - Effect sizes – Convert study outcomes (e.g., means, SDs, p-values) into a common metric like Cohen's d or Pearson's r, compute weighted mean calculations; visual data representation (forest plot)
- Meta-analysis models - Practice both fixed and random-effects models to understand how they handle between study variance
- Meta-analysis models - Practice both fixed and random-effects models to understand how they handle between study variance
- Heterogeneity assessment between studies - Examine the similarity in the methodology of the studies (study design, dana quailty) and statistics used (e.g., Q-test, I2), to evaluate whether studies can be combined
- Heterogeneity assessment between studies - Examine the similarity in the methodology of the studies (study design, dana quailty) and statistics used (e.g., Q-test, I2), to evaluate whether studies can be combined
- Moderator analysis - Examining specific study characteristics and their influence on the strength or direction of that effect
- Publication bias - Funnel plot interpretation and basic statistical tests to detect data asymmetry
- Individual work - Mini meta-analysis on relevant studies performed following a step-by-step approach to collect, evaluate, and combine research evidence
- Individual work - Mini meta-analysis on relevant studies performed following a step-by-step approach to collect, evaluate, and combine research evidence
- Individual work - Mini meta-analysis on relevant studies performed following a step-by-step approach to collect, evaluate, and combine research evidence
- Individual work - Mini meta-analysis on relevant studies performed following a step-by-step approach to collect, evaluate, and combine research evidence
- Individual work - Mini meta-analysis on relevant studies performed following a step-by-step approach to collect, evaluate, and combine research evidence
Obligatory literature
- Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2009). Introduction to meta-analysis. New York: Wiley - https://www.agropustaka.id/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/agropustaka.id_buku_Introduction-to-Meta-Analysis.pdf
- Koricheva, J., Gurevitch, J., Mengersen, K. (2013). Handbook of Meta-analysis in Ecology and Evolution. - https://share.google/PpgHPlsOeVZsyDNpI
- Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372. - http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
- Horvatinec, J., Stipičević, S., Sigurnjak Bureš, M., Brtnicky, M., Holatko, J., Kucerik, J., Buczny, J., Ondrasek, G. (2025). Recycling fly ash from coal or biomass combustion for nutrient recovery and enhanced food production in acidic agroecosystems: A multi-level meta-analysis - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115925
- Horvatinec, J., Buczny, J., Ondrasek, G. (2024). Fly ash application impacts master physicochemical pedovariables: A multilevel meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Management, 368, 122066. - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122066
Recommended literature
- Viechtbauer, W. (2010). Conducting meta-analyses in R with metafor package. Selected scientific articles in the field of environment and agronomy.