Every year a vast number of research studies and a myriad of other forms of 'evidence' are produced that have potential to inform policy and practice. Synthesis provides a way of bringing together diverse kinds of evidence to bridge the so called 'gap' between evidence and policy.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the range of approaches and methods available for synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence and a detailed explanation of why this is important. It does this by:

• Looking at the different types of review and examining the place of synthesis in reviews for policy and management decision making
• Describing the process of conducting and interpreting syntheses
• Suggesting questions which can be used to assess the quality of a synthesis

Synthesising Qualitative and Quantitative Health Evidence
is essential reading for students and professional researchers who need to assemble and synthesise findings and insights from multiple sources. It is also relevant to policy makers and practitioners in the field of health, and those working in other areas of social and public policy.

Nick Mays is Professor of Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

About the authors

Preface

Acknowledgements

PART 1 The evidence review process

Different types of evidence review

Stages in reviewing evidence systematically

PART 2 Methods for evidence synthesis

Quantitative approaches to evidence synthesis

Interpretive approaches to evidence synthesis

Mixed approaches to evidence synthesis

PART 3 The product of evidence synthesis

Organising and presenting evidence synthesis

Using evidence reviews for policy and decision-making

Approaches and assessment: choosing different methods andconsidering quality

Useful reading

References

Index

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