Integrating Emotions Into the Critical Interpretive Synthesis.

Area of Science:

• Health research methodology
• Qualitative research synthesis
• Interpretive analysis

Background:

• Critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) critically appraises research decisions.
• CIS differs from empirical synthesis by focusing on the constructed nature of secondary analysis.
• Existing CIS literature lacks emphasis on emotional responses in critical inquiry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend critical interpretive synthesis methodology.
• To integrate emotional responses into the development of critical questions and interpretation of results.
• To enhance critical awareness of assumptions in health research.

Main Methods:

• Refined an iterative and recursive methodology for critical interpretive synthesis.
• Integrated emotional responses into the critical questioning and interpretation phases.
• Illustrated the extended CIS through examples from music therapy, disability studies, mental health, music psychology, and child welfare.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a novel approach to critical interpretive synthesis.
• Showcased the utility of integrating emotional responses for deeper analysis.
• Highlighted the method's effectiveness in promoting critical awareness of research assumptions.

Conclusions:

• The refined critical interpretive synthesis offers a more comprehensive approach to secondary analysis.
• Integrating emotional responses enhances the critical interrogation of health research.
• This methodology fosters greater understanding of the underlying assumptions in research production.