New JBI guidance for Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews

A newly released guidance paper in JBI Evidence Synthesis aims to address widespread uncertainty and variability in current practices and expands on the current guidance for convergent integrated mixed methods systematic reviews. It offers the most comprehensive methodology currently available for data extraction and qualitisation for mixed methods systematic reviews.

Convergent integrated mixed methods systematic reviews

Mixed methods systematic reviews have become increasingly important in evidence-based healthcare, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of phenomena by combining quantitative and qualitative data. However, the integration of diverse data types presents unique methodological challenges.  

The JBI approach to mixed methods systematic reviews includes two main convergent synthesis approaches: segregated and integrated. While the segregated approach involves separate syntheses followed by integration, the convergent integrated approach necessitates data transformation to achieve compatibility. The new guidance paper focuses specifically on the less well-understood aspect of data transformation involving qualitisation, providing practice advice for reviewers on when and how to undertake qualitisation.

What is Qualitisation?

Qualitisation is defined as the integrative process where all extracted quantitative and qualitative data are examined to identify likenesses and create categories based on similarities in meaning. This process of grouping data, including quantitative data, into descriptive categories constitutes data transformation through qualitisation. The guidance paper emphasises that qualitisation occurs after data extraction and forms part of the integration process.

The need for this clarification arose from the JBI MMSR Methodology Group's recognition of uncertainty and poorly defined approaches to data transformation in the existing literature.  

“Through a structured literature search, analysis of systematic reviews using the JBI convergent integrated approach, and iterative revisions based on expert feedback, the JBI MMSR Methdology Group developed this comprehensive guidance”, explains lead author, Dr Lucylynn Lizarondo.

A key aspect of the new JBI guidance is its emphasis on comprehensive and transparent data extraction as a crucial precursor to effective qualitisation. The guidance recommends that data extraction from quantitative studies (and the quantitative components of mixed methods studies) should remain as close as possible to the data reported in the primary studies.

The authors believe this new guidance provides the most comprehensive methodology currently available for data extraction and qualitisation for mixed methods systematic reviews, establishing a strong foundation for advancing knowledge in this area.  

“By providing detailed methods and worked examples, the guidance paper addresses a significant gap in mixed methods systematic reviews methodology and aims to reduce confusion among systematic reviewers”, said Dr Lizarondo.

“While acknowledging the inherent variability in mixed methods systematic reviews and the potential need for tailoring the methodology to specific situations, the guidance provides a strong foundation for advancing knowledge in the field.”

Future work by the JBI MMSR Methodology Group will focus on further exploring the process of integration and assessing certainty and confidence in findings within mixed methods systematic reviews. This new guidance is a valuable resource for academics and researchers seeking to conduct rigorous and insightful convergent integrated mixed methods systematic reviews.

The new guidance paper, Methods for data extraction and data transformation in convergent integrated mixed methods systematic reviews, is available in the special methodology issue of JBI Evidence Synthesis.  

Methodological guidance for conducting mixed methods systematic reviews is available in the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis.