These videos, originally part of the Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) & Learning Live webinar series, focus on framework synthesis, one of Cochrane’s recommended methods of qualitative evidence synthesis and popularly considered as one of the most intuitive methods. 

Framework synthesis is believed to be particularly useful in the context of rapid qualitative syntheses. It has also been used in isolated instances of mixed methods reviews and reviews of QES (mega-aggregation). Having introduced the principles of framework synthesis, its strengths and limitations and some recent applications the webinar explored the specifics of best fit framework synthesis including systematic approaches to identifying and selecting candidate frameworks.

The webinar was delivered in January 2022 and below you will find the videos from the webinar, together with accompanying slides to download [PDF].

Part 1: Framework synthesis: principles, strengths and limitations, recent applications
Part 2: ‘Best fit’ framework synthesis

Presenter Bio

Professor Andrew Booth is Professor in Evidence Synthesis in the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield. He is a co-convenor of the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group. Andrew is a Chartered Information Professional (UK CILIP) and one of the most senior information specialists working in evidence synthesis. Andrew was awarded the prestigious Cyril Barnard Award for outstanding contribution to health librarianship in 2011. Andrew has been teaching and conducting systematic reviews for over 25 years, latterly specialising in qualitative evidence synthesis and realist synthesis. Between 2015 and 2021 he has been the world’s most prolific author/co-author of QES methodology and published examples of qualitative evidence synthesis. In 2020 he collaborated with Evidence Synthesis Ireland to support the first ever Cochrane Rapid Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. Andrew’s research focuses on methods of information retrieval and/or qualitative synthesis. He is responsible for many acronyms and mnemonics used in everyday reviewing practice (e.g. SPICE, SPIDER, PerSPE©TiFand RETREAT) and contributes to numerous modules and short courses including his own annual ESQUIRE course on Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

Part 1: Framework synthesis: principles, strengths and limitations, recent applications

Part 2: ‘Best fit’ framework synthesis

Additional materials

Download the slides from the webinar [PDF].