Framework Synthesis

Method Briefing

Tasks:

  1. Choose a Best Fit Framework
  2. Extract Data to a Framework, flagging “Non Fit” Data
  3. Quality Assessment Using ScHARR Collection and Analysis Tool
  4. Identify New Themes Inductively
  5. Look for Relationships between Themes – Creating a New Model

Choosing a Framework

Briefly look through the four “models” provided, Compare them with the Abstract and Findings from your supplied articles. Work in Pairs to decide which Model seems the Best Fit to the Data. Discuss with other members giving reasons for your choice.

Extracting to a Framework

For illustrative purposes we shall be using the Social Cognitive Theory Model for our Data Extraction.

  • Code data extracts according to framework by entering framework code in right-hand column

Note:

Data may be assigned more than 1 theme; If No code “fits” the data, enter “New theme” into right-hand column

  • Individual task
  • Compare with neighbour;
  • Discussion of results and experiences

Quality Assessment – Collection & Analysis Tool

Using the Collection and Analysis Tool as provided, work in small groups to conduct a quality assessment of one of the three articles. Make sure that each of the three articles is covered within your small group.

Pre-Lunch Feedback (5 mins per group + 5 mins facilitator)

Lunch

Method Re-Briefing

You Have Already:

  1. Chosen a Best Fit Framework
  2. Extracted Data to a Framework, flagging “Non Fit” Data
  3. Quality Assessed Using ScHARR Collection and Analysis Tool

Now You Are Going To:

  1. Identify New Themes Inductively
  2. Look for Relationships between Themes – Creating a New Model

Handling New Themes Inductively

Develop and assign new themes to extracts and enter them in the right-hand column on Handout 1

  • Individual Task
  • Compare with Neighbour

Discussion of Results and Experiences

Tea Break

Synthesis & Analysis – Constructing a Model

  1. Go beyond framework to create new conceptual model or theory. It will be helpful to consider:
  2. Any concepts that typically precede another (ANTECEDENTS)
  3. Any concepts that typically follow another (DESCENDANTS)
  4. Any concepts that naturally occur with each other (SYNERGIES)
  5. Any tensions/conflicts between concepts (ANTAGONISMS)
  6. Any exceptions to the “rule” (DISCONFIRMING CASES)
  7. Revisit data to explore relationships between themes or findings of framework
  8. One member of group will be required to introduce original model/framework, the new model/framework and explain how group got from former to latter – Prepare 10 minute presentation

Thematic Synthesis (as exemplified by Meta-Ethnography)

Method Briefing

Tasks:

  1. Extract Data
  2. Create Themes
  3. Quality Assessment Using CASP Qualitative Checklist
  4. Look for Reciprocal Translation and Redundancy of Themes
  5. Arrange Themes According to “Line of Argument”
  6. Look for Relationships between Themes – Create a Model or “Theory”

Identifying Themes

Extracting Data & Reciprocal Translation

Quality Assessment - CASP

Pre-Lunch Feedback (5 mins per group + 5 mins facilitator)

Lunch

Method Re-Briefing

You have already:

  1. Extracted Data
  2. Created Themes
  3. Quality Assessed Using CASP Qualitative Checklist

Now you will:

  1. Look for Reciprocal Translation and Redundancy of Themes
  2. Arrange Themes According to “Line of Argument”
  3. Look for Relationships between Themes – Create a Model or “Theory”

Conceptual Development – Line of Argument

Practical – across papers – translating studies into one another (25 mins)

  • Compare concepts with those from other papers and conduct translation between studies, i.e. first stage of synthesis – might be reciprocal and/or refutational.
  • Did studies cover same concepts?
  • Did they contradict / refute concepts in another study?
  • What did your study cover not in others?
  • Why might this be?

Decide on list of final concepts for your group and enter these onto large Post-Its

Conceptual Development – Line of Argument

Arrange concepts into what you consider to be a natural order, Start by clustering concepts, then examine relationships within a cluster of concepts.

How to construct relationships between themes , i.e. synthesising translations

Tea Break

Synthesis & Analysis – Examining Relationships

  • Each group to discuss relationships between their concepts and synthesise these translations to create a view of the phenomenon
  • Large Post-its on flip-charts, linked by relationships (20 minutes)
  • One member of group will be required to explain the synthesis – Prepare 10 minute presentation
  1. It will be helpful to consider:
  2. Any concepts that typically precede another (ANTECEDENTS)
  3. Any concepts that typically follow another (DESCENDANTS)
  4. Any concepts that naturally occur with each other (SYNERGIES)
  5. Any tensions/conflicts between concepts (ANTAGONISMS)
  6. Any exceptions to the “rule” (DISCONFIRMING CASES)