Alison O'Mara-Eves

  • Qualifications and position:
    • BPsych (Hons), DPhil
    • Research Officer
  • Faculty:
    • Faculty of Children and Learning
  • Department:
  • Centre:
  • Summary:
    • I am a methods specialist interested in social psychology and public health. My D.Phil (completed 2009, Oxford University) focused on meta-analytic methods and the application of meta-analysis to research questions on self-concept/self-esteem. Prior to joining EPPI (2011), I worked for a research consultancy conducting evidence reviews for policy and practice.
  • Teaching:
    • I have taught courses on meta-analysis synthesis methods and quantitative research methods.
  • Research Projects:
  • Postgraduate Research:
    • Research interests:
      systematic reviewing;
      methods for research synthesis, particularly meta-analysis and the application of multilevel modelling to meta-analysis;
      research methods more broadly, especially quantitative approaches;
      educational and social psychology, with a particular interest in self-concept, self-esteem, and educational achievement;
      health promotion and public health; and
      evidence informed policy and practice.
  • Conferences/presentations:
    • O'Mara, A. J., & Marsh, H. W. (2009, April). Have researchers underestimated the big-fish-little-pond effect? Paper presented in the Symposium "Antecedents and Effects of Competence Judgments" at the American Educational Research Association 2009 Annual Meeting, San Diego, United States.

      O'Mara, A. J., & Marsh, H. W. (2009, January). Gender differences in various self-concept domains across the lifespan: A meta-analysis using a construct validity approach. Paper presented at the Fifth International Biennial SELF Research Conference, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. [Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation].

      O'Mara, A. J., & Marsh, H. W. (2007, April). An application of multilevel modelling to meta-analysis and comparison with traditional approaches. Paper presented at the 6th International Amsterdam Multilevel Conference, University of Utrecht, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
 

Contact details

Contact details

Publications

  • Rees, R, Hinds, K, Dickson, K, O'Mara-Eves, A, Thomas, J (2012) Communities that cook: a systematic review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions to introduce adults to home cooking. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London. ISBN: 978-1-907345-27-2.
  • O'Mara AJ, Marrero-Guillamón I, Parry W, Cooper C, Lorenc T (2010) Review of review-level evidence to inform the development of NICE public health guidance for the prevention of pre-diabetes among adults in high-risk groups. NICE: London.
  • Marsh HW, O'Mara AJ (2010) 'Long-term total negative effects of school-average ability on diverse educational outcomes: Direct and indirect effects of the big-fish-little-pond effect', Zeitschrift für pädagogische psychologie [The German Journal of Educational Psychology] 24, 51-72.
  • O'Mara AJ, Jamal F, Llewellyn A, Lehmann A, Cooper C (2010) Research review: Improving children's and young people's achievement, behavioural and emotional outcomes through effective support and intervention with mothers, fathers and carers of 7-19-year-olds. London: Centre for Excellence and Outcomes.
  • Marsh HW, Bornmann L, Mutz R, Daniel H-D, O'Mara AJ (2009) 'Gender effects in the peer reviews of grant proposals: a comprehensive meta-analysis comparing traditional and multilevel approaches', Review of Educational Research 79, 1290-1326.
  • Marsh HW, O'Mara AJ (2008) 'Self-concept is as multidisciplinary as it is multidimensional: A review of theory, measurement, and practice in self-concept research' In HW. Marsh, RG. Craven, DM. McInerney (Eds.), International advances in self research, Vol. 3. Greenwich, CT: Information Age.
  • Marsh HW, O'Mara AJ (2008) 'Reciprocal effects between academic self-concept, self-esteem, achievement and attainment over seven adolescent-adult years: Unidimensional and multidimensional perspectives of self-concept', Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 34, 542-552.
  • Marsh HW, Seaton M, Trautwein U, Lüdtke O, Hau KT, O'Mara AJ, Craven RG (2008) 'The big-fish-little-pond-effect stands up to critical scrutiny: Implications for theory, methodology, and future research', Educational Psychology Review 20, 319-350.
  • O'Mara AJ, Marsh HW (2007) 'Big-fish-little-pond-effect: The pervasive self-concept frame-of-reference phenomenon', The Psychology of Education Review 31, 2-7.
  • O'Mara AJ, Green J, Marsh HW (2006) 'Administering self-concept interventions in schools: No training necessary? A meta-analysis', International Education Journal 7(4), 524-533.