Improving reporting of Meta-Ethnography: The eMERGe Reporting Guidance
Britten, N; France, E; Cunningham, M; et al.Ring, N; Uny, I; Duncan, E; Jepson, R; Maxwell, M; Roberts, R; Turley, R; Noyes, J; Booth, A; Flemming, K; Gallagher, I; Garside, R; Hannes, K; Lewin, S; Noblit, G; Pope, C; Thomas, J; Vanstone, M; Higginbottom, G
Date: 15 January 2019
Journal
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Aims
To provide guidance to improve the completeness and clarity of meta-ethnography reporting.
Background
Evidence-based policy and practice require robust evidence syntheses which can further
understanding of people’s experiences and associated social processes. Meta-ethnography is a
rigorous seven-phase qualitative evidence ...
Aims
To provide guidance to improve the completeness and clarity of meta-ethnography reporting.
Background
Evidence-based policy and practice require robust evidence syntheses which can further
understanding of people’s experiences and associated social processes. Meta-ethnography is a
rigorous seven-phase qualitative evidence synthesis methodology, developed by Noblit and
Hare. Meta-ethnography is used widely in health research but reporting is often poor quality,
and this discourages trust in, and use of its findings. Meta-ethnography reporting guidance is
needed to improve reporting quality.
Design The eMERGe study used a rigorous mixed-methods design and evidence-based
methods to develop the novel reporting guidance and explanatory notes.
Methods
The study, conducted from 2015-2017, comprised of: (1) a methodological systematic review
of guidance for meta-ethnography conduct and reporting; (2) a review and audit of published
meta-ethnographies to identify good practice principles; (3) international, multi-disciplinary
consensus-building processes to agree guidance content; (4) innovative development of the
guidance and explanatory notes.
Findings
Recommendations and good practice for all seven phases of meta-ethnography conduct and
reporting were newly identified leading to nineteen reporting criteria and accompanying detailed
guidance.
Conclusion
The bespoke eMERGe Reporting Guidance, which incorporates new methodological
developments and advances the methodology, can help researchers to report the important
aspects of meta-ethnography. Use of the guidance should raise reporting quality. Better
reporting could make assessments of confidence in the findings more robust and increase use
of meta-ethnography outputs to improve practice, policy and service user outcomes in health
and other fields. This is the first tailored reporting guideline for meta-ethnography
Institute of Health Research
Collections of Former Colleges
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