Interpreting the negative mood-helping literature via "mega"-analysis: A contrary view.

«Mega»-analysis was developed by Carlson and Miller as an extension of traditional meta-analytic procedures for conducting integrative reviews of existing research literatures. On such megaanalysis was conducted by Carlson and Miller (1987) to synthesize the literature on the relation between negative mood states and helping. That analysis found no support for a theoretical account ― negative state relief ― that had been confirmed previously by using various experimental approaches. In an attempt to reconcile the discrepancy, we examined the logic and methods used in Carlson and Miller's mega-analysis of the negative mood-helping literature and found several serious problems. These problems are discussed, and data are presented to show that the results of that mega-analysis, and perhaps all mega-analyses, should not be viewed with confidence