Faculty of Humanities
School of Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The significant effect size generated by a meta-analysis undertaken by researchers in the Department of Psychology indicates that utilising a dynamic assessment as an alternative in the selection process of academically disadvantaged students is a viable option in selection tests, as opposed to utilising only static-based assessments.
The aim of this research project was two-fold: to determine the significance of the efficacy of dynamic assessment as a viable assessment strategy in South African studies in terms of increasing scores on post-test test results and to compare and analyse two meta-analytic software programs.
Meta-analysis is a powerful technique, which can aid in the determination of how effective individual studies are when cumulated. Synthesized study results may yield results contrary to individual study results. Seven studies were included in the final analysis.
Effect sizes of 0.3354 and 0.3481 were calculated, utilising two meta-analysis software programs respectively. Although the results were significant, the small sample size limited the conclusions that could be drawn.
Limitations surrounding the use of the two packages and violations inherent in the analysis of the data were addressed. The researchers suggest that any future South African research designs conducted within the field of dynamic assessment should preferably be designed to accommodate future meta-analysis, since this technique dependent on data that can be successfully utilised within such an analysis
Contact person: Ms R Murphy.
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