Qualitative Research Synthesis

an introduction

Some initial thoughts

• Qualitative research often small-scale, emphasising the ‘particular’ or ‘unique’

• Increasingly criticised for lack of generalisability from a policy perspective

• ‘What works’, reductive agendas rely more heavily on quantitative approaches

• Need for methodologies which focus on drawing out wider patterns from qualitative studies

Qualitative Research Synthesis

‘an approach which uses qualitative methods to analyse, synthesize and interpret the results from qualitative studies…..’

(Major and Savin-Baden, 2010:10)

• One way in which we can synthesize studies and combine knowledge

• Produces syntheses grouped around particular topics or questions

• With specialisation can come fragmentation – QRS is one way of trying to make knowledge more connective

• Connective approach which helps develop a ‘web of knowledge’ which also highlights gaps

• By bringing studies together, syntheses can be an important medium for theory building

• Development of breadth as well as depth

• RCTs cannot answers all questions, QRS offers an alternative methodology which can act as a basis for policy

The basic processIdentify studies related to a research question

Collate qualitative studies across a large area of literature

Examine the theories and methods used in each study in-depth

Compare and analyse findings for each study

Synthesize findings for each study

Undertake an interpretation of findings across the studies

Present an interpretive narrative about the synthesis of findings

Provide a series of recommendations

(Major and Savin-Baden, 2010:11)

Defining the parameters for the study

Formulate the question

Identify studies

Select a sample of studies

Appraise studies

Finalize the sample

Reflect upon the process(Major and Savin-Baden, 2010:44)

What is perceived to be effective — and from whose perspective — when considering interventions used by occupational therapists in mental health?

A qualitative research synthesis examining the effectiveness of interventions used by occupational therapists in mental healthKatherine Wimpenny, Maggi Savin-Baden, and Clare Cook

British Journal of Occupational Therapy June 2014, 77(6)

Example of synthesized data