Meta-analysis is a formal synthesis of results and findings of
scientific studies, which can assist in gaining new insights, explaining
differences between results of similar studies, or determine useful
directions of research. In this book we focus on the use of
meta-analysis in environmental economics and related fields of study.
The first part of the book covers the overall meta-approach methodology
for social sciences and economics in particular. This is followed by
technical and non-technical discussions of statistical and rough-set
techniques for analysis. At appropriate places this is supplemented with
reviews of applications in environmental economics and related fields.
In the second part of the book a number of case studies show different
aspects of the application of meta-analysis. The research areas
considered include, among others, tourism multipliers, air pollution
valuation, risk and value of life, pesticide price policy, travel time
savings, and transport externality and policy issues. The benefits of
the appropriate application of meta-analysis in environmental economics
are a better use of existing information and knowledge, removal of some
of the subjectivity from analysis and forecasting, and greater clarity
as to where future efforts in environmental economic analysis can most
gainfully be deployed.
