[R-meta] Meta-analysis of ANOVA interaction effects

[Viechtbauer Wolfgang (SP)]

The URL links to a discussion of how to examine the interaction between two moderators in a meta-regression model. Iain is asking about how to meta-analyze interaction effects directly. That's not the same issue.

Iain - the interaction in a 2x2 ANOVA is the difference between two simple effects. So, for factors A and B, each with two levels, this is:

(mean_A1 - mean_A2) - (mean_B1 - mean_B2)

or equivalently

(mean_A1 - mean_B1) - (mean_A2 - mean_B2)

If needed (because studies use different scales), one can standardize this based on sqrt(MSE) of the model (MSE = mean squared error).

In fact, it isn't difficult to show that the t-test for the interaction is directly related to this standardized interaction effect:

((mean_A1 - mean_A2) - (mean_B1 - mean_B2)) / sqrt(MSE) = t * sqrt(1/n_A1 + 1/n_A2 + 1/n_B1 + 1/n_B2)

If all studies use the same scale, then I would recommend to meta-analyze the unstandardized interaction effects; otherwise go with the standardized ones.

Best,
Wolfgang

>-----Original Message-----
>From: R-sig-meta-analysis [mailto:r-sig-meta-analysis-bounces at r-
>project.org] On Behalf Of ???
>Sent: Tuesday, 27 February, 2018 2:22
>To: Iain Hamlin; r-sig-meta-analysis at r-project.org
>Subject: Re: [R-meta] Meta-analysis of ANOVA interaction effects
>
>Dear Lian,
>
>Wolfgang's web site for the metafor package has an example
>with detailed explanations for interaction effects.
>You can find the information in the following URL.
>
>http://www.metafor-
>project.org/doku.php/tips:multiple_factors_interactions
>
>Kyungnam
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: "Iain Hamlin"<iain.hamlin at strath.ac.uk>
>To: "r-sig-meta-analysis at r-project.org"<r-sig-meta-analysis at r-
>project.org>;
>Cc:
>Sent: 2018-02-27 (화) 03:38:48
>Subject: [R-meta] Meta-analysis of ANOVA interaction effects
>
>Dear all,
>
>Using r to do a meta-analysis of differences between means looks simple,
>even for an r novice like me. However, I can find worryingly little
>information - in books or on the internet - about how to use r to meta-
>analyse the interaction effects stemming from 2X2 ANOVAs.
>
>I would be very grateful if someone could provide me with, or point me in
>the direction of, information on how to do this in r.
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Iain