New horizons for comparative studies and meta-analyses

Trends Ecol Evol. 2024 Jan 11:S0169-5347(23)00335-X. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.12.004. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTComparative analyses and meta-analyses are key tools to elucidate broad biological principles, yet the two approaches often appear different in purpose. We propose an integrated approach that can generate deeper insights into ecoevolutionary processes. Marrying comparative and meta-analytic approaches will allow for (i) a more accurate investigation of drivers of biological variation, (ii) a greater ability to account for sources of non-independence in experimental data, (iii) more effective control of publication bias, and (iv) improved transparency and reproducibility. Stronger integration of meta-analytic and comparative studies can also broaden the scope from species-centric investigations to community-level responses and function-valued traits (e.g., reaction norms). We illuminate commonalities, differences, and the transformative potential of combining these methodologies for advancing ecology and evolutionary biology.PMID:38216408 | DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2023.12.004

Source: Trends in Ecology and Evolution - January 12, 2024 Category: Science Authors: Patrice Pottier Daniel W A Noble Frank Seebacher Nicholas C Wu Samantha Burke Malgorzata Lagisz Lisa E Schwanz Szymon M Drobniak Shinichi Nakagawa Source Type: research