Table 1

Glossary of important terms (alphabetically)

TermDefinition
Framework synthesisApplies primary research methods to map and interpret patterns of meaning (or ‘themes’) from multiple qualitative studies against a prespecified framework or theory
Mega-aggregationOverview that applies methods that are more commonly used to aggregate (group together) findings from multiple primary qualitative studies to produce a synthesis of multiple qualitative evidence syntheses
Mega-ethnographyOverview that applies methods that are more commonly used to construct interpretations of findings (a line of argument) from multiple primary qualitative studies to produce a synthesis of multiple qualitative evidence syntheses
Meta-ethnographyInterpretive approach that synthesises qualitative research to ‘translate’ qualitative studies into one another and then bring the separate parts together to form a whole line of argument that is greater than the sum of its parts
Qualitative evidence synthesis (QES)Umbrella term for process by which reviewers systematically review and synthesise data from individual qualitative studies on a shared topic of interest to create new understanding by comparing and analysing concepts and findings
Rapid qualitative evidence synthesis (rQES)Synthesis product that employs accelerated and/or streamlined methods, to synthesise primary qualitative research data so that completion of the review output occurs earlier than with a typical qualitative evidence synthesis (QES)
ReflexivityOngoing, mutually shaping interaction between the researcher/reviewer and the research whereby primary research authors consider their relationship with the research context/participants and reviewers reflect on their relationship to the review topic and the studies under consideration
Thematic synthesisApplies primary research methods to identify, analyse and interpret patterns of meaning (or ‘themes’) across multiple qualitative studies