Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30777031›Full record

SynthesisBMC medical research methodology2019

A methodological systematic review of meta-ethnography conduct to articulate the complex analytical phases.

Emma F France, Isabelle Uny, Nicola Ring, Ruth L Turley, Margaret Maxwell, Edward A S Duncan, Ruth G Jepson, Rachel J Roberts, Jane Noyes

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC medical research methodology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 105 papers, 26 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
105citing papers in PubMed, 26 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

105 citing papers in PubMed, 26 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  12. Implementing and Delivering Culturally Centred Pharmacy Services Tailored to Ethnically Minoritised Populations: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025
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  14. Tackling Inequalities in Access to Medicines for People Experiencing Homelessness: A Meta-Ethnography and Qualitative Systematic Review.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024
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  17. Exploring Therapeutic Relationships in Pediatric Occupational Therapy: A Meta-Ethnography.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapie · 2024
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45 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Emma F FranceNMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK. emma.france@stir.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0003-0876-7030
Isabelle UnyNMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK.
Nicola RingSchool of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK.
Ruth L TurleyDECIPHEr, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII, Cardiff, CF10 3WT, UK.
Margaret MaxwellNMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK.
Edward A S DuncanNMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK.
Ruth G JepsonScottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy, University of Edinburgh, 20 West Richmond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DX, UK.
Rachel J RobertsNMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF, UK.
Jane NoyesSchool of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2EF, UK.

Funding

British Heart FoundationCancer Research UKDepartment of Health HS&DR/13/114/60Health Services and Delivery Research Programme 13/114/60Medical Research Council MR/K023233/1Wellcome TrustWellcome Trust WT087640MA
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDecision making in health and social care requires robust syntheses of both quantitative and qualitative evidence. Meta-ethnography is a seven-phase methodology for synthesising qualitative studies. Developed in 1988 by sociologists in education Noblit and Hare, meta-ethnography has evolved since its inception; it is now widely used in healthcare research and is gaining popularity in education research. The aim of this article is to provide up-to-date, in-depth guidance on conducting the complex analytic synthesis phases 4 to 6 of meta-ethnography through analysis of the latest methodological evidence.

methodsWe report findings from a methodological systematic review conducted from 2015 to 2016. Fourteen databases and five other online resources were searched. Expansive searches were also conducted resulting in inclusion of 57 publications on meta-ethnography conduct and reporting from a range of academic disciplines published from 1988 to 2016.

resultsCurrent guidance on applying meta-ethnography originates from a small group of researchers using the methodology in a health context. We identified that researchers have operationalised the analysis and synthesis methods of meta-ethnography - determining how studies are related (phase 4), translating studies into one another (phase 5), synthesising translations (phase 6) and line of argument synthesis - to suit their own syntheses resulting in variation in methods and their application. Empirical research is required to compare the impact of different methods of translation and synthesis. Some methods are potentially better at preserving links with the context and meaning of primary studies, a key principle of meta-ethnography. A meta-ethnography can and should include reciprocal and refutational translation and line of argument synthesis, rather than only one of these, to maximise the impact of its outputs.

conclusionThe current work is the first to articulate and differentiate the methodological variations and their application for different purposes and represents a significant advance in the understanding of the methodological application of meta-ethnography.

Indexed as

Qualitative ResearchAcculturationAdaptation, PsychologicalAnthropology, CulturalHealth PersonnelHealth Services ResearchHumansResearch DesignResearch ReportMeta-ethnographyMeta-synthesisMethodologyQualitative evidence synthesisQualitative researchResearch designSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID30777031
PMCPMC6380066

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.