Yönetim ve Organizasyon Çalışmalarında Meta-Sentez Araştırmalarının Sentezlenmesi: Neredeyiz? Nereye Gitmeliyiz?

Abstract

Qualitative meta-synthesis methodology has received considerable attention from scholars in a variety of disciplines by answering a widening range of questions for which traditional methods have proven inadequate. However, turning to management and organization research, the meta-synthesis of qualitative research is nascent in the literature. In this context, the present study investigated the conceptual and methodological framework of meta-synthesis of qualitative research in the management and organization literature in terms of review subject, methods for searching, number of reviewed papers, appraisal methods of papers, and methods of synthesis. By investigating 9 meta-synthesis studies, it was found that a variety of contexts and subjects, mainly nurses’ working lives, were addressed in meta-synthesis research in the management and organization field. A wide range of databases and journal-based searches were performed. Also, the keywords were used as composed of variations of different keywords to cover the concept. In terms of inclusion criteria, the studies mainly used criteria as using qualitative research method, the research questions addressed the concept, written in English or a specific language, and peer-reviewed articles. In terms of methods, reviewed studies used different approaches (i.e., meta-ethnography) in addition to the qualitative meta-synthesis approach.