Research Synthesis
Research synthesis covers a number of ways of bringing together the totality of evidence on a topic or policy issue, thereby establishing the overall balance of evidence. We undertake the following types of research synthesis:
Scoping Studies and Evidence Gaps Maps
This involves searching electronic, print and 'grey' literature sources as rigorously as possible to establish what types of evidence are available on a topic or policy issue. This evidence is then mapped to identify where there are gaps in the evidence base.
Statistical Meta-Analysis
This type of research synthesis allows us to establish statistically the average cumulative effect of an intervention where studies are sufficiently comparable.
Narrative Synthesis
Where studies are not sufficiently comparable a narrative synthesis allows us to establish narratively what the overall evidence is on a topic, but without a cumulative statistical estimate.
Qualitative Synthesis
This synthesises the evidence from qualitative studies based on interviews, focus groups, observational studies, ethnography, document analysis and case studies.
Rapid Evidence Assessments
These are less rigorous searches, appraisals and summaries of the available evidence that are undertaken in a shorter time period to meet the pressing needs of decision makers.
Research synthesis covers a number of ways of bringing together the totality of evidence on a topic or policy issue, thereby establishing the overall balance of evidence. We undertake the following types of research synthesis:
Scoping Studies and Evidence Gaps Maps
This involves searching electronic, print and 'grey' literature sources as rigorously as possible to establish what types of evidence are available on a topic or policy issue. This evidence is then mapped to identify where there are gaps in the evidence base.
Statistical Meta-Analysis
This type of research synthesis allows us to establish statistically the average cumulative effect of an intervention where studies are sufficiently comparable.
Narrative Synthesis
Where studies are not sufficiently comparable a narrative synthesis allows us to establish narratively what the overall evidence is on a topic, but without a cumulative statistical estimate.
Qualitative Synthesis
This synthesises the evidence from qualitative studies based on interviews, focus groups, observational studies, ethnography, document analysis and case studies.
Rapid Evidence Assessments
These are less rigorous searches, appraisals and summaries of the available evidence that are undertaken in a shorter time period to meet the pressing needs of decision makers.