Text-in-context: a method for extracting findings in mixed-methods mixed research synthesis studies

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences Research
• Evidence Synthesis Methodologies

Background:

• Growing emphasis on inclusive evidence synthesis and integrative mixed-methods research.
• Need for accessible and usable evidence for diverse consumers.

Purpose of the Study:

• Propose a new data extraction method for mixed-methods research synthesis.
• Address challenges in extracting findings from research reports within these studies.

Main Methods:

• Developed a data extraction method during the Mixed-Methods Synthesis of Research on Childhood Chronic Conditions and Family study.
• Method transforms findings into portable statements anchored to contextual details.

Main Results:

• The proposed method preserves text-in-context of findings.
• Findings are linked to sample, source, time, comparisons, magnitude, and conceptions.

Conclusions:

• The data extraction method integrates findings while preserving methodological context.
• Applicable to mixed-methods synthesis in health sciences and potentially other fields.
• Facilitates individual and comparative reading of findings.