ESRC Research Methods Programme

Aims of session: Before undertaking any new policy, practice or research or making personal decisions in our lives it can be useful to find out what others already know about the issue. Research synthesis can assist such processes by providing a method for identifying and synthesising the findings of primary research. Statistical synthesis of quantitative research is well developed. This session will introduce and discuss different approaches to systematic reviews of research evidence that include non quantitative data. It serves as an introduction to a more detailed discussion of issues in the afternoon.

Level: Some prior knowledge would be helpful but not essential

Session Programme

Chair: Dr Philip Davies, Government Social Research Unit

9.15-9.25	Chair’s introduction
9.25-9.45	Introduction to research synthesis and the Methods for Research Synthesis Node of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods David Gough, Social Science Research Unit, University of London Slides
9.45-11.55	Methodological issues in reviews. Four approaches to research synthesis will be described in turn.
9.45-10.05	(i)Narrative synthesis Mark Rodgers, University of York Slides
10.05-10.25	(ii)Mixed methods synthesis James Thomas, Social Science Research Unit, University of London Slides
10.25-10.45	Discussion

10.45-11.15	Coffee/tea

11.15-11.35	(iii)Critical interpretive synthesis Mary Dixon–Woods, University of Leicester Slides
11.35-11.55	(iv)Realist synthesis Ray Pawson, University of Leeds Slides
11.55-12.15	Discussion
12.15-12.45	Panel Led Discussion on a typology of reviews of research evidence

Further programme details available

(including slides, presentations and background information as appropriate)