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How to conduct a qualitative meta-analysis: Tailoring methods to enhance methodological integrity

Abstract Although qualitative research has long been of interest in the field of psychology, meta-analyses of qualitative literatures (sometimes called meta-syntheses) are still quite rare. Like quantitative meta-analyses, these methods function to aggregate findings and identify patterns across primary studies, but their aims, procedures, and methodological considerations may vary. Objective: This paper explains the function of qualitative meta-analyses and their methodological development. Recommendations have broad relevance but are framed with an eye toward their use in psychotherapy research. Rather than arguing for the adoption of any single meta-method, this paper advocates for considering how procedures can best be selected and adapted to enhance a meta-study’s methodological integrity. Method: Through the paper, recommendations are provided to help researchers identify procedures that can best serve their studies’ specific goals. Meta-analysts are encouraged to consider the methodological integrity of their studies in relation to central research processes, including identifying a set of primary research studies, transforming primary findings into initial units of data for a meta-analysis, developing categories or themes, and communicating findings. Conclusion: The paper provides guidance for researchers who desire to tailor meta-analytic methods to meet their particular goals while enhancing the rigor of their research. Clinical or methodological significance of this article: This article describes the function of meta-analytic methods in relation to various research goals, such as the development of theoretical models, comprehensive literature reviews, or methodological reviews. It encourages researchers to design and carry out studies in a manner that strengthens the methodological integrity of their work in relation to their specific goals.