Cited by 826Meta-analysis and systematic reviewsPsychology Research and BibliometricsStatistical Methods in Epidemiology

Effect Size Guidelines, Sample Size Calculations, and Statistical Power in Gerontology

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Brydges, Christopher R·2019·Innovation in Aging

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Researchers typically use Cohen’s guidelines of Pearson’s r = .10, .30, and .50, and Cohen’s d = 0.20, 0.50, and 0.80 to interpret observed effect sizes as small, medium, or large, respectively. However, these guidelines were not based on quantitative estimates and are only recommended if field-specific estimates are unknown. This study investigated the distribution of effect sizes in both individual differences research and group differences research in gerontology to provide estimates of effect sizes in the field. Research Design and Methods: Effect sizes (Pearson’s r, Cohen’s d, and Hedges’ g) were extracted from meta-analyses published in 10 top-ranked gerontology journals. The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile ranks were calculated for Pearson’s r (individual differences) and Cohen’s d or Hedges’ g (group differences) values as indicators of small, medium, and large effects. A priori power analyses were conducted for sample size calculations given the observed effect size estimates. Results: Effect sizes of Pearson’s r = .12, .20, and .32 for individual differences research and Hedges’ g = 0.16, 0.38, and 0.76 for group differences research were interpreted as small, medium, and large effects in gerontology. Discussion and Implications: Cohen’s guidelines appear to overestimate effect sizes in gerontology. Researchers are encouraged to use Pearson’s r = .10, .20, and .30, and Cohen’s d or Hedges’ g = 0.15, 0.40, and 0.75 to interpret small, medium, and large effects in gerontology, and recruit larger samples.

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Crossref · 10.1093/geroni/igz036

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  • The PCIT-T group's AQS-security effect size changes place it in a comparable range to other brief to medium-term attachment-based interventions, e.g., VIPP-SD (overall combined effect size r = 0.23, medium effect size).

    “placing it in a comparable range to other brief to medium-term attachment-based interventions, e.g., VIPP-SD (overall combined effect size r = 0.23, medium effect size; [13]).”

    From Optimizing parenting and child outcomes following parent–child interaction therapy – toddler: a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [13]

    The Results (Individual Differences Research; page unavailable) classify Pearson’s r = .20 as a medium effect in gerontology, which supports only the general description of r = .23 as medium under those guidelines. The paper does not report a VIPP-SD combined effect of r = .23 or compare attachment-based interventions; its gerontology guideline also does not establish that classification for this intervention. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  1. Lovakov A., & Agadullina E. R (2017). Empirically derived guidelines for interpreting effect size in social psychology Retrieved from https://psyarxiv.com/2epc4/

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Authors
Brydges, C. R.
Affiliations
Colorado State University (US)
Corresponding author
Brydges, Christopher R
Venue
Innovation in Aging
Published
2019-08-01
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
igz036-igz036
ISSN
2399-5300 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2972140183
Cited by
826
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 212 · 2025: 212 · 2024: 168 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
23.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Innovation in Aging (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychology Research and Bibliometrics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
Keywords
effect size interpretation, Cohen's d, Hedges' g, Pearson correlation, sample size determination, statistical power, gerontology, individual differences, group differences, meta-analysis, effect size distribution, aging research

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