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Meta-Ethnography
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Meta-Ethnography
Synthesizing Qualitative Studies

Volume: 11
Other Titles in:
Ethnography
May 1988 | 88 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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This provocative volume deals with one of the chief criticisms of ethnographic studies, a criticism which centres on their particularism or their insistence on context -- the question is asked: How can these studies be generalized beyond the individual case? Noblit and Hare propose a method -- meta-ethnography -- for synthesizing from qualitative, interpretive studies. They show that ethnographies themselves are interpretive acts, and demonstrate that by translating metaphors and key concepts between ethnographic studies, it is possible to develop a broader interpretive synthesis. Using examples from numerous studies, the authors illuminate how meta-ethnography works, isolate several types of meta-ethnographic study and provide a theoretical justification for the method's use.
 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
 
The Idea of a Meta-Ethnography
 
A Meta-Ethnographic Approach
 
PART TWO: CONSTRUCTING META-ETHNOGRAPHIES
 
Reciprocal Translations as Synthesis
 
Refutational Synthesis
 
Lines-of-Argument Synthesis
 
Inscribing Meta-Ethnographies

Although dated, this text remains a useful text to guide novice researchers to utilise meta-ethnography as a method of organising qualitative and/or ethnographic literature

Mrs Lyz Howard
Department of Health, Health and Social Care Teaching Team
September 12, 2015
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This little gem of a book is essential reading for anyone wanting to delve further into the nuances of qualitative research, in particular into meta-synthesis. It is however very specialist and hence of limited value to those who do not need or want to plunge into these issues. Also, it is somewhat dated now and is heavily American in tone and example, thereby limiting its practical application in modern day European health settings. Having said that, I have not found a better source text for data translation.

Ms Amanda Ryan
Institut des sciences et techniques de la réadaptation, University of Lyon I - Claude Bernard
September 25, 2014
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Interesting book to complement the bibliography list for my Researching Education Module, especifcally focusing on Ethnography.

Dr Susana Castro
Education, University of Roehampton, London
December 3, 2013
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An excellent text which has a clear and supportive exposition. It should be read as a primary source by all who need to better understand qualitative synthetic technique.

Professor Effie Maclellan
School of Education, Strathclyde University
February 7, 2013
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