Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies: Background, Methodology and Applications

Primarily focused on answering questions why and how, this qualitative research relates to human being and behavior and could bring understanding of socially constructed phenomena, including people's needs, experiences, behavior, motives, desires and expectations. Meta-synthesis is an important method that provides valuable insights into the qualitative research area. The aim of this methodological paper is to describe both the main conceptual background and the creation process of meta-synthesis (according to individual steps/phases) in the field of social science and educational research. The content of the paper includes the description of the 7-step procedure's preparation (deciding the phenomenon of interest; deciding what is relevant; careful reading and re-reading: translating studies into one another; synthesizing the translation; expressing the synthesis), checklists for validation of the conclusions/findings obtained from analytical process (QUARI: the Qualitative Appraisal and the Review Instrument; CASP: Clinical Appraisal Skills Program in particular), and the SPIDER model: comprehensive search, appraisal of reports of qualitative primary studies, classification of studies, and findings synthesis. Methods of studying relevant literature (scientific articles), a content analysis and a critical comparison of knowledge were used. The output is presented as a short methodological review focused on the meta-synthesis method application to social sciences and educational research activities. [For "NORDSCI International Conference Proceedings: Education and Language Edition (Helsinki, Finland, July 17, 2018). Book 1. Volume 1," see ED603189.]