Phil Stock

Meta-analyses and the making of an evidence-informed profession

Before entering into a broader discussion about the use of meta-analysis in school decision-making, it’s worth appreciating just how far teaching has progressed towards becoming an evidence-informed profession.

The very fact that teachers and school leaders like me are questioning schools' use of meta-analyses and systematic reviews is incredible. It was only 6 years ago that Ben Goldacre outlined his revolutionary vision for the use of research in education, believing it could learn valuable lessons from medicine where evidence-based practice has led to huge advances in patient outcomes.