Systematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research

by Saini, Michael; Shlonsky, Aron

• ISBN13: 9780195387216
• ISBN10: 019538721X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-25
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Qualitative synthesis within the family of systematic reviews meets an urgent need to use knowledge derived from qualitative studies to inform practice, research, and policy. Despite the contingent nature of evidence gleaned from synthesis of qualitative studies, systematic synthesis is an important technique and, used judiciously, can deepen understanding of the contextual dimensions that emerge from qualitative research. This pocket guide presents an overview for planning, developing, and implementing qualitative synthesis within existing protocols and guidelines for conducting systematic reviews. The authors also explore methodological challenges, including: the philosophical tensions of integrating qualitative synthesis within the family of systematic reviews; the balance of comprehensive and iterative information retrieval strategies to locate and screen qualitative research; the use of appraisal tools to assess quality of qualitative studies; the various approaches to synthesize qualitative studies, including interpretive, integrated, and aggregative; and the tensions between the generalizability and transferability of findings that emerge from qualitative synthesis. Social work researchers, educators, and doctoral students who are interested in systematic reviews will find the step-by-step format of this book invaluable for conducting their reviews, both in the form of rapid evidence assessments and in high-quality critical reviews.

Author Biography

Michael Saini, PhD, is Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Aron Shlonsky, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I. The Integration of Qualitative Research within Evidence-Based Practice
1. Evolution of Qualitative Synthesis within Systematic Reviews
2. Methods to Aggregating, Integrating, and Interpreting Qualitative Research
3. Mixed Method Designs for Including Qualitative Research
4. Clarifying Methodological Issues: A Way Forward

Part II. Systematic Approach for Qualitative Synthesis
5. A Systematic Approach for Conducting Qualitative Synthesis
6. Searching and Screening Qualitative Studies
7. Appraising the Evidence of Qualitative Studies

Part III. Qualitative Synthesis as Evidence for Social Work Practice and Policy
8. Reporting Systematic Qualitative Synthesis
9. Future Directions for Social Work Practice and Policy

Appendix A. Systematic Information Retrieval Coding Sheet
Appendix B. Critical Appraisal Tool
Glossary
References
Index