Meta-Analysis Model for Education in Pandemic Times ( Embeywa H.E.* 1 , Amukowa W. 2 Machakos University* 1,2)

ABSTRACT
During Pandemic times like the current COVID-19, response protocols pose challenges to researchers especially in regard to data collection. The guidelines such as restriction of movement, social distancing and age-related protocols that guide social groupings and interaction become constraints to research designs that rely heavily on human interaction/contact. The pandemic brings in a new normal for educational research in terms of approach to research
design, data collection and data analysis. This necessitates two distinct ways in conducting educational research: The use of MetaAnalysis as an appropriate design; and, the availability of quick reference tools for Effect Size Calculation among studies already undertaken in related fields. This paper discusses ways in which educational research
could exploit meta-analysis in achieving reliable results by: (a) Proposing metaanalysis as the most viable option for
research design; (b) Recommending a set of tools for different options on Effect-Size Calculation and (c) Proposing a framework for mentoring postgraduate students on this
new approach. Keywords: Educational Research, Metaanalysis, Effect-Size, Sampling, Reliability, Statistics