Meta-analysis in public administration research: An interdisciplinary perspective review in the age of open science

Abstract

This study combines content analysis and systematic literature review to examine the landscape of meta-analyses in public administration. Content analysis of 107 articles shows that research spans both micro- and macro-level topics, with particular emphasis on public policy, governance, and service delivery. We propose a structured framework for conducting meta-analyses and critically review 34 studies from five leading journals published over the past decade (2015–2024). Building on these findings, we offer four interdisciplinary recommendations to enhance methodological rigor, strengthen theoretical integration, and foster cumulative knowledge development in the era of open science. By highlighting the potential of meta-analysis to reconcile divergent findings, improve cross-national comparability, and inform evidence-based policy, this study consolidates its role as a foundational tool in public administration scholarship.

Points for practitioners

Meta-analysis equips public administrators and policymakers with a rigorous tool to synthesize empirical findings, reconcile inconsistent results, and compare policy effects across diverse institutional and national contexts.

Meta-analyses in public administration address both macro-level issues (e.g. public policy, service delivery, climate governance) and micro-level concerns (e.g. trust, citizen satisfaction, employee motivation), highlighting their relevance for evidence-informed decision making.

Researchers should follow established protocols while embracing open science practices—transparency, reproducibility, and contextual sensitivity—to enhance the credibility, comparability, and practical relevance of meta-analytic findings.