Abstract
Meta-analysis has been criticized for combining studies with different independent and dependent variables—the alleged “apples and oranges” problem, This study provides evidence for the inclusion of similarly valenced subscales from self-report mood scales in meta-analysis. Undergraduates (N = 214) were randomly assigned to a “positive” or “negative” group to complete a checklist containing words from 12 different scales. Cluster analyses indicated that mood subscales formed a two-cluster positive and negative solution. All participants were assigned to the correct cluster. Discriminant analyses correctly classified more than 95% of participants for each mood scale. Results indicate that subscales from commonly used mood inventories can be combined in meta-analyses having positive or negative affect as the dependent variable.
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