Meta-Synthesis

MR. ANGELITO B. CABANILLA, JR, LPT, MAED-MATH

Instructor, Cebu Normal University
Objectives
At the end of the discussion, you will be able to:

1. learn the nature and characteristics of Meta-Synthesis,

2. identify the purpose or focus of Meta-Synthesis,

3. understand the steps involved in conducting Meta-Synthesis,

4. identify the steps in analyzing data for meta-Synthesis, and

5. observe sample research articles.

 Meta-Synthesis
Meta-synthesis is a form
of systematic review and
which integrate findings
from qualitative studies
(Lachal et al, 2017)

Systematic reviews are

one of the most reliable
types of study. They
appear at the top of the
hierarchy of evidence.
Systematic Review

Systematic reviews
involve a detailed
and comprehensive
plan and search
strategy with the goal
of reducing bias by
identifying,
appraising, and
synthesizing all
relevant studies on a
particular topic.
Nature of Meta-Synthesis
• Meta-syntheses are best designed to re-interpret meaning
across many qualitative studies (Atkins et al., 2008)

• This is designed to minimize bias.

• Existing researches are used as data

• Other names for Meta-synthesis are: Qualitative Evidence

Synthesis, Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
Characteristics of MS
• Utilizes explicit objectives and questions to be addressed

• Determines relevant studies with stated inclusion and

exclusion criteria

• Chosen studies could be from published or unpublished

researches

• Included studies are appraised through: Methodology, validity,

findings, locations, and others.
Three Main Types of MS
1. Theory Building
This form of meta-synthesis brings together findings on a
theoretical level to build a tentative theory.

2. Theory Explication
This form of meta-synthesis is a way of reconceptualizing the
original phenomenon.

3. Descriptive
This form of meta-synthesis provides a broad description of the
research phenomenon.
Purpose of Meta-Synthesis
• It summarizes and synthesizes existing knowledge.

• Enables researchers to make an objective assessment of

primary research evidence in order to develop:

a. Interventions
b. Policies, best practices, or protocols
c. Support for grants or when seeking funding
d. Various decision-making matters
Limitations of MS
• Only appropriate for high-quality qualitative studies

• Requires significant methodological skill and experience with

qualitative methods

• May take time to engage with the evidence and develop

theory

• Requires further interpretation by policy makers and

practitioners
Steps in Conducting MS
1. Identify a question or objectives.
2. Create a review protocol (inclusion and exclusion criteria)
3. Find studies in Grey literature.
4. Study selection: Pick relevant studies
5. Critically appraise the quality of studies. (CASP Checklist)
6. Collect data from each selected study.
7. Synthesize and summarize findings from included studies.
8. Document the method by writing a review, report or article.
Review Protocol
The review protocol sets out the methods to be used in the
review. Decisions about the review question, inclusion criteria,
search strategy, study selection, data extraction, quality
assessment, data synthesis and plans for dissemination should
be addressed.
Grey Literature
Grey literature refers to academic, business, government or
industry print or electronic literature that is not controlled by
commercial publishers.

• Conference proceedings
• Research reports
• Government reports
• Dissertations, theses
• Organization websitres
Grey Literature: Academic Databases

• Free Academic Databases:

- Google Scholar
- EBSCO
- ProQuest
- Dissertations and Theses
- Scopus Indexed Journals

• Used search terms and keywords

Grey Literature: Publish or Perish

https://harzing.com/resources/publish-or-perish
Study Selection
• Review titles and abstracts of retrieved citations.

• Review the full text of studies that are found to meet the
inclusion criteria.

• Keep a record of reasons for inclusion or exclusion.

Study Selection: Tools for Sorting

• Reference management software : EndNote

• New web application: Rayyan

• Excel
CASP Checklist

Critical Appraisal Skills

Program's (CASP)
Checklist eliminates
irrelevant articles.

https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/
Synthesize Findings
• The findings from individual studies are aggregated to
produce a type of evidence synthesis appropriate to the type
of data within the review.

• Tables and figures are used to present included studies and

their findings in a systematic and clear format.
- Flow diagram
- Summary of findings table
 Synthesize Findings: PRISMA Flow Diagram
• Depicts the flow of
information through the
different phases of a meta-
synthesis

• Documents the number of

studies that remain after each
stage of the selection process

• Maps the number of studies

identified, included and
excluded, and the reasons for
being excluded.

• PRISMA Flow Diagram

Generator
 Sample Studies

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Angelito-Jr-Cabanilla/publication/354378496_A_Meta-
Synthesis_on_the_Potential_Effectiveness_of_a_Teaching_Internship_Program/links/61356bd2
2b40ec7d8bea73be/A-Meta-Synthesis-on-the-Potential-Effectiveness-of-a-Teaching-Internship-
Program.pdf
 Sample Studies

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Angelito-Jr-Cabanilla/publication/354378496_A_Meta-
Synthesis_on_the_Potential_Effectiveness_of_a_Teaching_Internship_Program/links/61356bd2
2b40ec7d8bea73be/A-Meta-Synthesis-on-the-Potential-Effectiveness-of-a-Teaching-Internship-
Program.pdf
Sample Studies
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/3551
99585_Multicultural_Education_Teachers'_Exp
eriences_in_Multi-Grade_Instruction_A_Meta-
Synthesis
Publish or Perish
References
• Atkins, 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), 1-10.
• Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (2018). CASP Systematic Review Checklist.
Retrieved 27 August 2022 from https://casp-uk.b-cdn.net/wp-
content/uploads/2018/03/CASP-Systematic-Review-Checklist-2018_fillable-
form.pdf
• Lachal, J., Revah-Levy, A., Orri, M., & Moro, M. R. (2017). Metasynthesis: an
original method to synthesize qualitative literature in psychiatry. Frontiers in
psychiatry, 8, 269.
• Padron, K. (2019). PRISMA and Systematic Reviews. Retrieved 27 August 2022
from https://www.slideshare.net/kpadron_libraries/prisma-and-systematic-
reviews-135954954?next_slideshow=135954954
• Prudente, M. & Aguja, E. (2021). Conducting Systematic Reviews.
• Raluto, R. (2018). Meta synthesis. Retrieved 28 August 2022 from
https://www.slideshare.net/RandelRoyRaluto/meta-synthesis?qid=8c1fb839-
a091-4dd2-9e43-0f8538284683&v=&b=&from_search=9
Research is creating
new knowledge.
- Neil Armstrong

MR. ANGELITO B. CABANILLA, JR, LPT, MAED-MATH

Instructor, Cebu Normal University