Meta-synthesis Of Qualitative Research Research Articles

Disruption, disbelief and resistance: A meta-synthesis of disability in the workplace

This article presents the findings from a meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the experiences of persons with disabilities in the workplace. The purpose of this review was to explore how organizational culture influences the experiences of people with disabilities in the workplace, and the impact of disability on organizational culture. Findings from seven qualitative peer-reviewed studies on the experiences of people with disabilities at work and organizational culture published between 1995 and 2006 were synthesized using the meta-ethnography approach. The findings highlight how experiences of people with disabilities and organizational culture intersect in the workplace. Specifically, accessibility in the workplace involves more than removing physical barriers. People with disabilities are affected by the degree of acceptance and flexibility in the workplace, and relationships with co-workers and supervisors. However, the presence of disability may be perceived as disruptive to the organization, operation and structure of the workplace, resulting in disbelief and resistance. The findings suggest that attention and resources should be directed supporting the implementation of disability and human rights legislation and increasing tolerance for diversity in the workplace.

Womenʼs perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

Womenʼs perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

The experience of living with stroke: a qualitative meta-synthesis

The effects of stroke on stroke survivors are profound and cannot adequately be understood from a single approach or point of view. Use of qualitative study, in addition to quantitative research, provides a comprehensive picture of the consequences of stroke grounded in the experience of stroke survivors. The purpose of the present study was to examine the contribution of the published qualitative literature to our understanding of the experience of living with stroke. Qualitative meta-synthesis. A literature search was conducted to identify qualitative studies focused on the experience of living with stroke. Themes and supporting interpretations from each study were compiled and reviewed independently by 2 research assistants in order to identify recurring themes and facilitate interpretation across studies. From 9 qualitative studies, 5 inter-related themes were identified as follows: (i) Change, Transition and Transformation, (ii) Loss, (iii) Uncertainty, (iv) Social Isolation, (v) Adaptation and Reconciliation. The present synthesis suggests the sudden, overwhelming transformation of stroke forms a background for loss, uncertainty and social isolation. However, stroke survivors may move forward through adaptation towards recovery. Meta-synthesis of qualitative research is needed to promote the inclusion of what we know about patient preferences and values in evidence-based practice.

Women's perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding support: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

Review Objectives: The objectives of this systematic review are as follows: 1) To define the term ‘breastfeeding support’ from the woman’s perspective; 2) Uncover the elements of breastfeeding support offered to women that are deemed to be both helpful and/or unhelpful from the breastfeeding women’s experiences; 3) Ascertain what constitutes supportive encounters with infant feeding from the perspective of breastfeeding women; and 4) Describe any differences between components of Peer and Professional support. Criteria for considering studies for this review: Types of participants: Both primiparous and multiparous women who initiate breastfeeding will be included in the study. Phenomenon of interest: The phenomenon of interest will be breastfeeding support. The meta-synthesis will include both peer and professional support for breastfeeding women. These categories will be separated initially to see if differences occur and where these differences lie. Types of outcomes: Outcomes will be related to the women’s perceptions of support. Outcomes may include: Maternal perceptions of success Confidence Continuation of breastfeeding Facilitation of the woman’s own decision-making.

Co-Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Research

Thirty-two qualitative investigations of co-teaching in inclusive classrooms were included in a metasynthesis employing qualitative research integration techniques. It was concluded that co-teachers generally supported co-teaching, although a number of important needs were identified, including planning time, student skill level, and training; many of these needs were linked to administrative support. The dominant co-teaching role was found to be “one teach, one assist,” in classrooms characterized by traditional instruction, even though this method is not highly recommended in the literature. The special education teacher was often observed to play a subordinate role. Techniques often recommended for special education teachers, such as peer mediation, strategy instruction, mnemonics, and training of study skills, self-advocacy skills, and self-monitoring, were infrequently observed.

How Do People Interpret Their Family Histories of Diabetes, Coronary Disease, or Cancer?

In this issue, Fiona Walter at University of Cambridge and her colleagues Emery, Braithwaite, and Marteau share a systematic review of the personal meaning of family medical history.[1][1] This meta-synthesis of qualitative research is particularly important because rather than emphasizing rare

Mothering multiples: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

Increasing numbers of qualitative studies in maternal-child nursing are being published. However, clinical application and knowledge development based on those studies will be hampered unless the rich understandings gleaned from these individual studies can be synthesized. Meta-synthesis is one technique to help accumulate knowledge from qualitative research. The first section of this article explains the technique of meta-synthesis and reviews meta-syntheses published in nursing. The focus then becomes an illustration of a meta-synthesis in maternal-child nursing: Mothering multiples during the first year of life. Six qualitative studies comprised the sample for the meta-synthesis. The meta-synthesis revealed a shared set of five themes that help increase our understanding of mothering multiples: "bearing the burden," "riding an emotional roller coaster," "lifesaving support," "striving for maternal justice," and "acknowledging individuality." Implications for practice derived from this meta-synthesis are addressed.

The shifting perspectives model of chronic illness.

To present the Shifting Perspectives Model of Chronic Illness, which was derived from a metasynthesis of 292 qualitative research studies. The model was derived from a metasynthesis of qualitative research about the reported experiences of adults with a chronic illness. The 292 primary research studies included a variety of interpretive research methods and were conducted by researchers from numerous countries and disciplines. Metastudy, a metasynthesis method developed by the author in collaboration with six other researchers consisted of three analytic components (meta-data-analysis, metamethod, and metatheory), followed by a synthesis component in which new knowledge about the phenomenon was generated from the findings. Many of the assumptions that underlie previous models, such as a single, linear trajectory of living with a chronic disease, were challenged. The Shifting Perspectives Model indicated that living with chronic illness was an ongoing and continually shifting process in which an illness-in-the-foreground or wellness-in-the-foreground perspective has specific functions in the person's world. The Shifting Perspectives Model helps users provide an explanation of chronically ill persons' variations in their attention to symptoms over time, sometimes in ways that seem ill-advised or even harmful to their health. The model also indicates direction to health professionals about supporting people with chronic illness.

Metasynthesis of qualitative research on living with HIV infection.

Qualitative studies of people living with HIV infection are crucial for providing direction for practice and research because they provide the emic perspective. As more of these qualitative studies are conducted, researchers are challenged to develop ways to synthesize the findings for research and clinical practice. The purpose of the metasynthesis described in this article was to understand the experience of adults living with HIV infection as described in published research. Findings from the studies were categorized into six overarching metaphors: (a) finding meaning in HIV/AIDS, (b) shattered meaning, (c) human connectedness, (d) focusing on the self, (e) negotiating health care, and (f) dealing with stigma.