Developing methods for the overarching synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence: the interweave synthesis approach

We present two case studies in which we used novel and innovative methods to draw together the findings from individual but related quantitative and qualitative syntheses to aid interpretation of the overall evidence base. Our approach moved beyond making a choice between parallel, sequential or convergent methods to interweave the findings of individual reviews and offers three key innovations to mixed ‐methods synthesis methods:

The use of intersubjective questions to understand the findings of the individual reviews through different lenses,
Immersion of key reviewers in the entirety of the evidence base, and
Commencing the process during the final stages of the synthesis of individual review s, at a point where reviewers are developing an understanding of initial findings.Underlying our approach is the process of exploration and identification of links between and across review findings; an approach that is fundamental to all evidence syntheses but usually occurs at the level of the study. Adapting existing methods for exploring and identifying patterns and links between and across studies to interweave the findings between and across reviews may prove valuable.

Source: Research Synthesis Methods - November 13, 2019 Category: Chemistry Authors: Jo Thompson Coon, Ruth Gwernan ‐Jones, Ruth Garside, Michael Nunns, Liz Shaw, G.J. Melendez‐Torres, Darren Moore Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research