Access MetaLab Community-Augmented Meta-Analysis Data

Read released, versioned data from MetaLab (< https://metalab.stanford.edu>), a database of community-augmented meta-analyses of language acquisition and cognitive development; validate candidate datasets against the MetaLab field specification; compute standardized effect sizes; and draw the standard MetaLab visualizations (scatter, violin, forest, and funnel plots) backed by multilevel random-effects models.

metalabr

An R package for accessing data from MetaLab, a database of community-augmented meta-analyses of language acquisition and cognitive development. MetaLab data are released as versioned, citable snapshots on Redivis; metalabr reads those releases.

Installation

# install.packages("remotes")
remotes::install_github("langcog/metalabr")

# for versioned Redivis access (recommended):
install.packages("redivis",
  repos = c("https://langcog.r-universe.dev", getOption("repos")))

Usage

The one-call path (no account needed) loads the current release:

library(metalabr)
get_current_metalab_data()
#> Loaded MetaLab data release 2026.1 into the global environment
#> (objects: metalab_data, dataset_info).

For versioned, reproducible access (uses your free Redivis account via the redivis package):

metalab_data <- get_metalab_data()                  # current release
metalab_data <- get_metalab_data(version = "2023.1")  # pinned
mutex <- get_metalab_data(short_names = "mutex")
metadata <- get_metalab_metadata()
get_metalab_versions()

Standard MetaLab visualizations (multilevel random-effects models via metafor):

metalab_scatter_plot(metalab_data, "idspref", "g_calc", "g_var_calc")
metalab_violin_plot(metalab_data, "idspref")
metalab_forest_plot(metalab_data, "idspref", moderators = "response_mode")
metalab_funnel_plot(metalab_data, "idspref")
metalab_funnel_test(metalab_data, "idspref")

Curators can still fetch live coding spreadsheets (the path used to build data releases):

metadata <- get_metalab_metadata("path/to/datasets.yaml")
metalab_data <- get_metalab_data(metadata)

Citation

Please cite the individual dataset(s) you use (see each dataset's page on metalab.stanford.edu) as well as:

Bergmann, C., Tsuji, S., Piccinini, P.E., Lewis, M.L., Braginsky, M., Frank, M.C., & Cristia, A. (2018). Promoting replicability in developmental research through meta-analyses: Insights from language acquisition research. Child Development, 89, 1996-2009.