Comparability work and the management of difference in research synthesis studies

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Growing interest in mixed research synthesis due to methodological inclusivity.
• Challenges in comparing diverse qualitative and quantitative findings for synthesis.
• Existing approaches struggle with the inherent diversity of mixed methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new conceptualization of research synthesis, focusing on "comparability work."
• To reframe the challenges of mixed research synthesis by centering reviewer interpretation.
• To explore methodological issues in synthesis through a case study.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of research synthesis processes.
• Examination of "comparability work" as a central element of synthesis.
• Case study: Synthesis of empirical studies on antiretroviral adherence in HIV-positive women in the US.

Main Results:

• Research synthesis, particularly mixed research synthesis, is defined by "comparability work."
• Study diversity is not inherent but an outcome of reviewer judgments.
• This perspective shifts focus to the interpretive, backstage work of systematic reviews.

Conclusions:

• Viewing synthesis as "comparability work" highlights the active role of reviewers.
• This framework offers a new approach to addressing methodological challenges in mixed research synthesis.
• The conceptualization is illustrated by the synthesis of studies on HIV antiretroviral adherence.