Practical Strategies in Conducting a Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
Loading...
Date
2020-06
Authors
Dr. Wa-Mbaleka, Safary
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
As qualitative research production continues to increase
worldwide, it is important to synthesize it. Although there have been
some attempts to structure the best ways to synthesize qualitative
research, steps provided so far in the literature may not be userfriendly for novice qualitative researchers. This paper defines metasynthesis, the qualitative research design used to systematically
synthesize an existing body of research. The paper provides different
orientations of meta-synthesis, as well as a step-by-step guide in
conducting a meta-synthesis. This paper is meant to generate more
interest and discussion on this less-used and yet much needed
qualitative research design. The discussion generated should help
improve the practice of meta-synthesis in general. With this
knowledge, more qualitative research may be systematically
synthesized to help orient new directions of inconclusive research.
Expertise in meta-synthesis can also help generate more informed
practical guidelines needed by different policymakers and
practitioners in their respective fields. Such a contribution would take
the relevance of qualitative research one step higher. Last, more
systematic synthesis of primary qualitative research studies can help
generate new theories or strengthen existing ones.
Description
Keywords
qualitative research, meta-synthesis, meta-narrative, research synthesis