In the field of experimental psychopathology, meta-analyses are increasingly used to come to pooled effect-size estimates with regard to an association/effect of interest [e.g., ‘exposure on average decreases anxiety over studies (Cohen’s d = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.25 to 0.75)]. An additional goal of meta-analysis is to quantify the amount of between-study heterogeneity and when present, to explain it [e.g., ‘exposure decreases anxiety, but only in case in vivo exposure is applied’]. The results from meta-analyses, are by many regarded as representing a high level of evidence.

Given the above, it seems important to us that researchers in the field of experimental psychopathology at least have a basic knowledge on what meta-analysis is about. Hence, in this symposium, we will set out the steps that are involved in preforming meta-analyses. Expert speakers are invited, who in their presentation, will focus on the reasons to perform a meta-analysis, the benefits of this particular method, and the pitfalls and difficulties that you may encounter when performing or interpreting one. Beyond that, you will acquire hands-on experience in performing a meta-analysis