Systematic Synthesis Of Qualitative Studies Research Articles

A systematic synthesis of qualitative studies on parents' experiences of participating in early intervention programs with their infant born preterm.

Early intervention programs involving both the parent and the infant born preterm have demonstrated positive effects on developmental outcomes for the children. However, studies have also shown that parental engagement and adherence when implementing intervention programs can be challenging. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive description and new insights into key messages gleaned from the parent reports on participating in early intervention with their infant born preterm; knowledge vital to facilitate implementation of early interventions into clinical practice when using a model of direct parent involvement. Early intervention is broadly defined as a multi-interdisciplinary field provided to children from birth to five years of age to foster child health, wellbeing, development, adapting parenting and family function. For this systematic synthesis we define early intervention as programs with specific activities completed with the infant during the first year after birth. We assembled qualitative interview studies on parents' experiences with participation in early intervention and applied Malterud's qualitative systematic meta-synthesis to synthesize and translate the original findings across studies. In the analysis we applied enactive concepts of embodiment, autonomy, participatory sensemaking, and agency. 10 qualitative studies were identified and included. The systematic synthesis reveals how parents' successful and meaningful participation in early intervention programs were facilitated by their "active embodied doing." The "embodied doing" appeared as the basis for the parents' sense-making processes, development of confidence, and the ability for parents to see new possibilities for actions within themselves, with and in the child. In that respect, a perception of mutuality in the interaction between parent, infant and interventionist was central. Consequently, an important consideration when implementing early intervention into clinical practice is to promote embodied parent-infant interactions as well as trust between the parent and the interventionist.

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and distinguishing features of effective policies – an evidence-based approach

ABSTRACT A generalized belief in entrepreneurship as a source of economic growth ensures sustained interest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) concept, capturing the attention of governments and regional authorities. This has generated a plethora of public policies aimed at creating and developing EEs, frequently without solid theoretical and empirical foundations for its design, with consequent policies risking being ineffective. To address this, we develop theory through a systematic synthesis of qualitative studies, exploring a set of EEs, from different countries, dimensions, and characteristics. Our evidence-based approach diverges from extant studies that frequently examine a single ecosystem. The results of the systematic synthesis led us to propose a typology of ideal-types of intervention, the ecologist, the creator, the promoter and the landscaper. These provide a path towards the development of a better understanding of the type of dominant policy intervention in EE, also enabling the study of policy evolution and its alternative trajectories regarding future development. By using an evidence-based analysis, we enhance coherence through incorporating diverse perspectives not as conflicting or contradictory, but as part of a structured set of policymaking options. This sets a basis for future research, especially related to the evolution process, and provide evidence-based advice for practitioners.

Synthesizing Qualitative Research

Systematic synthesis of qualitative studies is widely used in health and social care. Regardless of the topic area, researchers need to consider several decisions when it comes to the planning and implementation of qualitative synthesis. As junior reviewers, we reflect on potential challenges and pitfalls in planning and conducting a synthesis of qualitative evidence. This article aims to elaborate on a number of key issues in order to provide insights and options on how to avoid or minimize these issues, especially for new reviewers and research students. This article examines difficulties in different stages and presents some examples of how intellectual and technical issues can be approached and resolved, including how to ensure effective identification of the relevant research to answer the review question? What are the potential pitfalls during the screening and evaluation process? The implications of different issues are examined and potential directions are discussed.