Overview of Methodological Issues

Methodology Milestone

Where are we heading? - 1 Better methods for Capturing Complexity of Review Questions Increased use of Models, Theories & Frameworks Greater Specification and Further Adaptation of methods for QES More Rapid Methods Move from Comprehensive Sampling to Most Appropriate Sampling Method – greater transparency, efficiency of search methods

Where are we heading? – 2 Greater interest in Complex Interventions Greater interest in Implementation Greater interest in Mixed Methods and Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Studies Further Cross Pollination from primary qualitative data analysis (e.g. QCA) More examination of Quality and use of Sensitivity Analysis Further work on Transferability and Recommendations (e.g. CERQUAL) Agreed Reporting Standards (ENTREQ Version 4.0)

References Booth, A. (2013). Acknowledging a “Dual Heritage” for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis: Harnessing the Qualitative Research and Systematic Review Research Traditions. Gallacher, K., Jani, B., Morrison, D., Macdonald, S., Blane, D., Erwin, P., & Mair, F. S. (2013). Qualitative systematic reviews of treatment burden in stroke, heart failure and diabetes-Methodological challenges and solutions. BMC medical research methodology, 13(1), 10. Hannes K, Booth A, Harris J, Noyes J. Celebrating methodological challenges and changes: reflecting on the emergence and importance of the role of qualitative evidence in Cochrane reviews. Syst Rev. 2013 Oct 17;2:84. Toye, F., Seers, K., Allcock, N., Briggs, M., Carr, E., & Barker, K. (2014). Meta-ethnography 25 years on: challenges and insights for synthesising a large number of qualitative studies. BMC medical research methodology,14(1), 80.