This is an archived version of the Handbook. For the current version, please go to training.cochrane.org/handbook/current or search for this chapter here.

20.6.5  Synthesizing qualitative and quantitative evidence

Dixon-Woods M, Fitzpatrick R, Roberts K. Including qualitative research in systematic reviews; opportunities and problems. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 2001; 7: 125-133.

Dixon-Woods M, Fitzpatrick R. Qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMJ 2001; 323: 765-766

Dixon-Woods M, Cavers D, Agarwal S, Annandale E, Arthur A, Harvey J, Hsu R, Katbamna S, Olsen R, Smith L, Riley R, Sutton AJ. Conducting a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature on access to healthcare by vulnerable groups. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2006; 6: 35.

Greenhalgh T, Robert G, Macfarlane F, Bate P, Kyriakidou O, Peacock R. Storylines of research in diffusion of innovation: a meta-narrative approach to systematic review. Social Science and Medicine 2005; 61: 417-430.

Harden A, Garcia J, Oliver S, Rees R, Shepherd J, Brunton G, Oakley A. Applying systematic review methods to studies of people’s views: an example from public health research. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2004; 58: 794-800.

Pawson R. Evidence Based Policy: A Realist Perspective. London (UK): Sage Publications, 2006.

Pawson, R. Evidence-based policy: the promise of ‘realist synthesis’. Evaluation 2002; 8: 340-358.

Pearson, A, Field, J, Jordan, Z. Evidence-based Clinical Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: Assimilating Research, Experience and Expertise. Oxford (UK): Blackwell, 2007.

Petticrew M, Roberts H. Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. Oxford (UK): Blackwell, 2006.

Pope C, Mays N, Popay J. Synthesising Qualitative and Quantitative Health Research: A Guide to Methods. Maidenhead (UK): Open University Press, 2007.

Popay J (Ed) Moving beyond Effectiveness in Evidence Synthesis: Methodological Issues in the Synthesis of Diverse Sources of Evidence. London (UK): NICE, 2006.

Roberts K, Dixon-Woods M, Fitzpatrick R, Abrams K, Jones D. Factors affecting uptake of childhood immunisation: a Bayesian synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence. The Lancet 2002; 360: 1596-1599.

Webb C, Roe B (Eds). Reviewing Research Evidence for Nursing Practice. Oxford (UK): Blackwell, 2007.