方法对比

	元人种学	定性元综合
领域	科学计量学	证据综合
方法族	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
起源年份	1988	2007
提出者	George W. Noblit and R. Dwight Hare	Sandelowski & Barroso (2007), Popularized by Thomas & Harden (2008)
类型	Qualitative evidence synthesis method	Framework
开创性文献	Noblit, G. W., & Hare, R. D. (1988). Meta-ethnography: Synthesizing qualitative studies. Sage. ISBN: 978-0803930780	Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8, 45.
别名	qualitative meta-synthesis, interpretive synthesis, ethnographic synthesis, meta-ethnographic review	Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, Thematic Synthesis, Metasynthesis, Qualitative Systematic Review
相关	4	2
摘要	Meta-ethnography is a systematic method for synthesising findings across multiple qualitative studies by comparing and translating the conceptual frameworks and metaphors each study uses. Developed by Noblit and Hare in 1988, it produces a new interpretive account that goes beyond any single study, preserving the richness of qualitative data while generating broader theoretical insights. It is the most influential approach to qualitative evidence synthesis in health, social, and educational research.	Qualitative meta-synthesis is a systematic method for synthesizing findings from multiple qualitative research studies (interviews, focus groups, ethnographies) to develop integrated interpretations and theoretical insights. Formalized by Sandelowski and Barroso (2007) and popularized by Thomas and Harden (2008), qualitative meta-synthesis preserves the rich, contextual, interpretive nature of qualitative evidence while enabling broader conclusions across multiple studies. Unlike quantitative meta-analysis, which pools numbers, qualitative meta-synthesis synthesizes themes, meanings, and conceptual insights—answering questions like 'How do cancer patients experience treatment side effects?' or 'What factors shape patient engagement with preventive health programs?' across multiple studies.