Meta-analysis overcomes a number of the limitations of traditional literature reviews (Norris & Ortega, 2006). Consequently, the use of meta-analysis as a synthetic technique has been applied across a range of scientific disciplines in recent decades. This paper seeks to formally introduce the potential of meta-analysis to the field of bilingualism. In doing so, we first describe a number of advantages to the meta-analytic approach such as greater systematicity, objectivity, and transparency relative to narrative reviews. We also outline the major stages in conducting a meta-analysis, highlighting critical considerations encountered at each stage. These include (a) domain definition, (b) coding scheme development and implementation, (c) analysis, and (d) interpretation. The focus, however, is on providing a conceptual introduction rather than a full-length tutorial. Meta-analyses in bilingualism and nearby fields are referred to throughout in order to illustrate the points being made.

中文翻译：

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将荟萃分析应用于双语研究：简介

Meta 分析克服了传统文献综述的一些限制（Norris & Ortega, 2006）。因此，近几十年来，荟萃分析作为一种综合技术已应用于一系列科学学科。本文旨在正式介绍元分析在双语领域的潜力。在此过程中，我们首先描述了元分析方法的一些优势，例如相对于叙述性评论具有更高的系统性、客观性和透明度。我们还概述了进行荟萃分析的主要阶段，强调在每个阶段遇到的关键考虑因素。这些包括 (a) 域定义，(b) 编码方案开发和实施，(c) 分析，以及 (d) 解释。然而，重点是 是提供概念介绍而不是完整的教程。为了说明所提出的观点，通篇引用了双语和邻近领域的元分析。