Successfully Combining Meta-analysis and Structural Equation Modeling: Recommendations and Strategies

During the past two decades, organizational researchers have combined the techniques of meta-analysis (MA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) with the intention of building on the strengths of these approaches to address unique research questions. Though these integrative analyses can involve the use of SEM to conduct MA, the focus of the current article is on those situations in which meta-analytic correlations are used as input for testing structural models not previously evaluated in any single, primary study. The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the salient choices that must be made by researchers interested in integrating these methods and offering several recommendations for those undertaking such analytic strategies. Overall, the combination of MA and SEM offers researchers unique opportunities, but caution must be exercised when drawing inferences from results.