The Importance of Coding Stage in Meta-Analysis

The importance of systematic reviews and its statistical approach which is called metaanalysis contributed to the implementation of more meta-analytic studies in the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Regarding this increase, it is also important to consider precision of final results. The purpose of this paper can be classified as to 1) present both definition and background to meta-analysis, 2) illustrate a meta-analytic study to clarify chronological stages of this kind of systematic and statistical research synthesis, 3) concentrate on coding stage. The concentration on coding stage of meta-analysis in this paper does not underestimate the importance of other stages but to show main points which deserve consideration. As the author conducted an actual meta-analysis in SLA which is probably the first meta-analysis of SLA implemented in Iran, this paper presents suggestions regarding coding stage of meta-analysis The paper ends with comments and cautions of coding stage and summary of scholars’suggestions on organizing a good coding scheme for meta-analysis. L2 researchers who might wish to conduct a meta-analysis or those who may desire to know more about current trends of research in SLA may find this paper significant and interesting

Keywords:

Coding , Meta-analysis , Research method , SLA