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. 2019 Feb 18;19(1):35.
doi: 10.1186/s12874-019-0670-7.

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

Emma F France  1 , Isabelle Uny  2 , Nicola Ring  3 , Ruth L Turley  4 , Margaret Maxwell  2 , Edward A S Duncan  2 , Ruth G Jepson  5 , Rachel J Roberts  2 , Jane Noyes  6
Affiliations

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

Emma F France et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. .

Abstract

Background: Decision 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.

Methods: We 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.

Results: Current 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.

Conclusion: The 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.

Keywords: Meta-ethnography; Meta-synthesis; Methodology; Qualitative evidence synthesis; Qualitative research; Research design; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ information

EFF (PhD, MA (hons)) is a Senior Lecturer, NR (PhD, MSc, RN) is an Associate Professor, IU (PhD, MSc, MA) is a Research Fellow, EASD (PhD, BSc (hons), DipCBT) is an Associate Professor, RGJ (PhD, MSC, RGN) is a Reader in Evaluation Research Methods, MM (PhD, MA(Hons)), is Professor of Health Services and Mental Health Research, RJR (PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)), is a Research Fellow, RLT (MSc, BSc) is a Research Fellow, JN (DPhil, MSc, RN) is Professor of Health and Social Services Research and Child Health.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram. Copyright statement: this PRISMA diagram contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Adapted From: Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(6): e1000097. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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