Article

Improving reporting of Meta-Ethnography The eMERGe Reporting Guidance

Details

Citation

France EF, Cunningham M, Ring N, Uny I, Duncan E, Jepson RG, Maxwell M, Roberts RJ, Turley RL, Booth A, Britten N, Flemming K, Gallagher I, Garside R & Hannes K (2019) Improving reporting of Meta-Ethnography The eMERGe Reporting Guidance. Psycho-Oncology, 28 (3), pp. 447-458. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4915

Abstract
Aims The aim of this study was to provide guidance to improve the completeness and clarity of meta‐ethnography reporting. Background Evidence‐based policy and practice require robust evidence syntheses which can further understanding of people's experiences and associated social processes. Meta‐ethnography is a rigorous seven‐phase qualitative evidence synthesis methodology, developed by Noblit and Hare. Meta‐ethnography is used widely in health research, but reporting is often poor quality and this discourages trust in and use of its findings. Meta‐ethnography reporting guidance is needed to improve reporting quality. Design The eMERGe study used a rigorous mixed‐methods design and evidence‐based methods to develop the novel reporting guidance and explanatory notes. Methods The study, conducted from 2015 to 2017, comprised of: (1) a methodological systematic review of guidance for meta‐ethnography conduct and reporting; (2) a review and audit of published meta‐ethnographies to identify good practice principles; (3) international, multidisciplinary consensus‐building processes to agree guidance content; (4) innovative development of the guidance and explanatory notes. Findings Recommendations and good practice for all seven phases of meta‐ethnography conduct and reporting were newly identified leading to 19 reporting criteria and accompanying detailed guidance. Conclusion The bespoke eMERGe Reporting Guidance, which incorporates new methodological developments and advances the methodology, can help researchers to report the important aspects of meta‐ethnography. Use of the guidance should raise reporting quality. Better reporting could make assessments of confidence in the findings more robust and increase use of meta‐ethnography outputs to improve practice, policy, and service user outcomes in health and other fields. This is the first tailored reporting guideline for meta‐ethnography.

Keywords
guideline; meta‐ethnography; nursing; publication standards; qualitative evidence synthesis; qualitative research; reporting; research design; systematic review

Notes
Additional co-authors: Simon Lewin, George W Noblit, Catherine Pope, James Thomas, Meredith Vanstone, Gina M A Higginbottom, Jane Noyes

Journal
Psycho-Oncology: Volume 28, Issue 3

StatusPublished
FundersNational Institute for Health Research
Publication date01/03/2019
Publication date online15/01/2019
Date accepted by journal03/07/2018
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/28546
ISSN1057-9249

People (4)

Professor Edward Duncan

Professor Edward Duncan

Professor, NMAHP

Professor Emma France

Professor Emma France

Professor, Health Sciences Stirling

Professor Margaret Maxwell

Professor Margaret Maxwell

Professor, NMAHP

Dr Isabelle Uny

Dr Isabelle Uny

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing