Abstract
Despite theoretical differences and methodological questions, the conversation about synthesizing qualitative research raises interest. Meta-ethnography, as initially described by Noblit and Hare (1988), is a foundation for a methodology to synthesize existing case study; however, there are weaknesses that need to be addressed. Using three stages of meta-ethnography, case selection, analysis, and synthesis, the author discusses these weaknesses and provides enhancements so that meta-ethnography becomes a viable option for qualitative researchers. Examples from application in the study of educational leadership illuminate and validate each enhancement. The author concludes by discussing how, when enhancements are made, meta-ethnography also becomes a methodology with compelling implications for making the research process a more democratic one.
Keywords
EthnographyConversationSociologyEpistemologyFoundation (evidence)Strengths and weaknessesQualitative researchProcess (computing)Engineering ethicsManagement scienceComputer scienceSocial sciencePolitical scienceEngineeringAnthropologyPhilosophyLaw
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
Using meta ethnography to synthesise qualitative research: a worked example
Objectives: To demonstrate the benefits of applying meta ethnography to the synthesis of qualitative research, by means of a worked example. Methods: Four papers about lay meani...
Understanding and Validity in Qualitative Research
Qualitative researchers rely — implicitly or explicitly — on a variety of understandings and corresponding types of validity in the process of describing, interpreting,and expla...
How can systematic reviews incorporate qualitative research? A critical perspective
Systematic review has developed as a specific methodology for searching for, appraising and synthesizing findings of primary studies, and has rapidly become a cornerstone of the...
Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers
Qualitative case study methodology provides tools for researchers to study complex phenomena within their contexts. When the approach is applied correctly, it becomes a valuable...
Systematic text condensation: A strategy for qualitative analysis
Aims: To present background, principles, and procedures for a strategy for qualitative analysis called systematic text condensation and discuss this approach compared with relat...
Publication Info
- Year
- 2003
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 321-344
- Citations
- 234
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Altmetric
PlumX Metrics
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
234
OpenAlex
24
Influential
184
CrossRef
Cite This
Lynn H. Doyle
(2003).
Synthesis through meta-ethnography: paradoxes, enhancements, and possibilities.
Qualitative Research
, 3
(3)
, 321-344.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794103033003
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1177/1468794103033003