Abstract
This introductory chapter outlines a novel application of meta-ethnographic synthesis in the analysis of large qualitative data sets generated for the MYPLACE project. Although meta-ethnography is used increasingly as an alternative to systematic review for the synthesis of published qualitative studies, to date it has not been applied to the synthesis of primary data. This chapter suggests such a use is not precluded epistemologically and potentially addresses a growing need as qualitative researchers increasingly engage in transnational, multi-sited projects. The chapter outlines the practical process of adapting meta-ethnography to primary data analysis as undertaken in the MYPLACE project. It discusses the potential, challenges and limitations of the approach, and suggests measures for avoiding the loss of individual differentiation in qualitative data in the process of extracting the general from the specific.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barnett-Page, E., & Thomas, J. (2009). Methods for the synthesis of qualitative research: A critical review. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 9(59), 1–9.
Booth, A. (2001). Cochrane or cock-eyed? ‘How should we conduct systematic reviews of qualitative research?’. Paper presented at the Qualitative Evidence-based Practice Conference, Taking a Critical Stance, Coventry University. Retrieved from http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001724.htm.
Brannen, J., & Nilsen, A. (2011). Comparative biographies in case-based cross-national research: Methodological considerations. Sociology, 45(4), 603–618.
Britten, N., Campbell, R., Pope, C., Donovan, J., Morgan, M., & Pill, R. (2002). Using meta ethnography to synthesise qualitative research: A worked example. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 7(4), 209–215.
Burawoy, M. (1998). The extended case method. Sociological Theory, 16(1), 4–33.
Campbell, R., Pound, P., Pope, C., Britten, N., Pill, R., Morgan, M., et al. (2003). Evaluating metaethnography: A synthesis of qualitative research on lay experiences of diabetes and diabetes care. Social Science and Medicine, 56, 671–684.
Campbell, R., Pound, P., Morgan, M., Daker-White, G., Britten, N., Pill, R., et al. (2011). Evaluating meta-ethnography: Systematic analysis and synthesis of qualitative research. Health Technology Assessment, 15(43), 1–180.
Dixon-Woods, M., Cavers, D., Agarwal, S., Annandale, E., Arthur, A., Harvey, J., et al. (2006). Conducting a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature on access to healthcare by vulnerable groups. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 6(35). Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/6/35.
Gomm, R., Hammersley, M., & Foster, P. (2000). Case study and generalization. In R. Gomm, M. Hammersley, & P. Foster (Eds.), Case study method: Key issues, key texts. London: Sage.
Hannes, K., & Macaitis, K. (2012). A move to more systematic and transparent approaches in qualitative evidence synthesis: Update on a review of published papers. Qualitative Research, 12(4), 402–442.
Higgins, J. P. T., & Green, S. (Eds.). (2011). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions version 5.1.0. The Cochrane Collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.cochrane-handbook.org.
Kuper, A., Lingard, L., & Levinson, W. (2008). Critically appraising qualitative research. The British Medical Journal, 337. Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a1035.
Lee, R. P., Hart, R. I., Watson, R. M., & Rapley, T. (2015). Qualitative synthesis in practice: Some pragmatics of meta-ethnography. Qualitative Research, 15(3), 334–350.
Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage: Beverly Hills, CA.
Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. (2000). The only generalization is: There is no generalization. In R. Gomm, M. Hammersley, & P. Foster (Eds.), Case study method: Key issues, key texts. London: Sage.
Malpass, A., Shaw, A. R. G., Sharp, D., Walter, F., Feder, G., Ridd, M., et al. (2009). “Medication career” or “Moral career”? The two sides of managing antidepressants: A meta-ethnography of patients’ experience of antidepressants. Social Science & Medicine, 68(1), 154–168.
Marcus, G. E. (2011). Multi-sited ethnography: Five or six things I know about it now. In S. Coleman & P. von Hellermann (Eds.), Multi-sited ethnography: Problems and possibilities in the translocation of research methods. London: Routledge.
MYPLACE Qualitative Data Analysis Handbook (2013). Retrieved from http://www.fp7-myplace.eu/documents/MYPLACE%20HANDBOOK%20revised%20version%20post%20Smolenice%20(May%202013)%20final-%209.docx.
Noblit, G. W., & Hare, R. D. (1988). Meta-ethnography: Synthesizing qualitative studies. Newbury Park: Sage.
Pilkington, H. (2014). WP7: Interpreting activism (ethnographies) introduction (MYPLACE Deliverable 7.1: Ethnographic case studies of youth activism). Retrieved from http://www.fp7-myplace.eu/deliverables.php.
Pilkington, H., & Mizen, P. (2015). WP7: Interpreting activism (ethnographies) introduction (MYPLACE Deliverable 7.2: Transnational cluster report). Retrieved from http://www.fp7-myplace.eu/deliverables.php.
Sandelowski, M., Docherty, S., & Emden, C. (1997). Qualitative metasynthesis: Issues and techniques. Research in Nursing & Health, 20, 365–371.
Sipos, F., & Pilkington, H. (2015). WP5: Interpreting participation (interviews) MYPLACE deliverable 5.4: Cross-national report. Retrieved from http://www.fp7-myplace.eu/deliverables.php.
Spencer, L., Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., & Dillon, L. (2003). Quality in qualitative evaluation: A framework for assessing research evidence. London: Cabinet Office. Retrieved from http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/a_quality_framework_tcm6-38740.pdf.
Strike, K., & Posner, G. (1983). Types of synthesis and their criteria. In S. Ward, & L. Reed (Eds.), Knowledge structure and use. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Team members (2006). Writing life-histories. Interviewing extreme right-wing activists. In B. Klandermans & N. Mayer (Eds.), Extreme right activists in Europe: Through the magnifying glass. London: Routledge.
Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews (ESRC National Centre for Research Methods Working Paper Series Number 10/07). Retrieved from http://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/468/1/1007_JTAHthematic_synthesis.pdf.
Toye, F., Seers, K., Allcock, N., Briggs, M., Carr, E. & Barker, K. (2014). Meta-ethnography 25 years on: Challenges and insights for synthesising a large number of qualitative studies. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 14(1). Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/14/80.
Weed, M. (2008). A potential method for the interpretive synthesis of qualitative research: Issues in the development of “meta-interpretation”. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 11(1), 13–28.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pilkington, H. (2018). Can Qualitative Data Speak Beyond the Individual Case? Employing Meta-Ethnography for the Synthesis of Findings in Transnational Research Projects. In: Pilkington, H., Pollock, G., Franc, R. (eds) Understanding Youth Participation Across Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59007-7_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59007-7_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-59006-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-59007-7
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)