Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt

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dc.contributor.authorAtkins, Sallaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLewin, Simonen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSmith, Helenen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorEngel, Mark Een_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFretheim, Atleen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVolmink, Jimmyen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-12T11:00:29Z
dc.date.available2015-10-12T11:00:29Z
dc.date.issued2008en_ZA
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND:Qualitative synthesis has become more commonplace in recent years. Meta-ethnography is one of several methods for synthesising qualitative research and is being used increasingly within health care research. However, many aspects of the steps in the process remain ill-defined.DISCUSSION:We utilized the seven stages of the synthesis process to synthesise qualitative research on adherence to tuberculosis treatment. In this paper we discuss the methodological and practical challenges faced; of particular note are the methods used in our synthesis, the additional steps that we found useful in clarifying the process, and the key methodological challenges encountered in implementing the meta-ethnographic approach.The challenges included shaping an appropriate question for the synthesis; identifying relevant studies; assessing the quality of the studies; and synthesising findings across a very large number of primary studies from different contexts and research traditions. We offer suggestions that may assist in undertaking meta-ethnographies in the future.SUMMARY:Meta-ethnography is a useful method for synthesising qualitative research and for developing models that interpret findings across multiple studies. Despite its growing use in health research, further research is needed to address the wide range of methodological and epistemological questions raised by the approach.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationAtkins, S., Lewin, S., Smith, H., Engel, M. E., Fretheim, A., & Volmink, J. (2008). Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt. <i>BMC Medical Research Methodology</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14208en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationAtkins, Salla, Simon Lewin, Helen Smith, Mark E Engel, Atle Fretheim, and Jimmy Volmink "Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt." <i>BMC Medical Research Methodology</i> (2008) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14208en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationAtkins, S., Lewin, S., Smith, H., Engel, M., Fretheim, A., & Volmink, J. (2008). Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: lessons learnt. BMC medical research methodology, 8(1), 21.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Atkins, Salla AU - Lewin, Simon AU - Smith, Helen AU - Engel, Mark E AU - Fretheim, Atle AU - Volmink, Jimmy AB - BACKGROUND:Qualitative synthesis has become more commonplace in recent years. Meta-ethnography is one of several methods for synthesising qualitative research and is being used increasingly within health care research. However, many aspects of the steps in the process remain ill-defined.DISCUSSION:We utilized the seven stages of the synthesis process to synthesise qualitative research on adherence to tuberculosis treatment. In this paper we discuss the methodological and practical challenges faced; of particular note are the methods used in our synthesis, the additional steps that we found useful in clarifying the process, and the key methodological challenges encountered in implementing the meta-ethnographic approach.The challenges included shaping an appropriate question for the synthesis; identifying relevant studies; assessing the quality of the studies; and synthesising findings across a very large number of primary studies from different contexts and research traditions. We offer suggestions that may assist in undertaking meta-ethnographies in the future.SUMMARY:Meta-ethnography is a useful method for synthesising qualitative research and for developing models that interpret findings across multiple studies. Despite its growing use in health research, further research is needed to address the wide range of methodological and epistemological questions raised by the approach. DA - 2008 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - BMC Medical Research Methodology LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2008 T1 - Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt TI - Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14208 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.uri10.1186/1471-2288-8-21en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/14208
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationAtkins S, Lewin S, Smith H, Engel ME, Fretheim A, Volmink J. Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnt. BMC Medical Research Methodology. 2008; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14208.en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisherBioMed Central Ltden_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Medicineen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.rightsThis is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licenseen_ZA
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0en_ZA
dc.sourceBMC Medical Research Methodologyen_ZA
dc.source.urihttp://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcmedresmethodol/en_ZA
dc.subject.otherQualitative synthesisen_ZA
dc.subject.otherMeta-ethnographyen_ZA
dc.titleConducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learnten_ZA
dc.typeJournal Articleen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceArticleen_ZA
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