Agenda:
This fifth webinar of the Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) & Learning Live webinar series focuses on thematic synthesis, one of Cochrane’s recommended methods of qualitative evidence synthesis, which has been used to synthesise qualitative evidence across a wide range of policy and practice topics. Thematic synthesis offers a flexible, systematic and transparent method to move from the findings of multiple qualitative studies to synthesis. The webinar will begin by outlining the key features of thematic synthesis and how it relates to other synthesis methods. It will then illustrate the steps involved using worked examples. The different ways it has been used will be highlighted and the value of descriptive and analytical themes will be discussed. The webinar will then move onto a discussion of rigour in thematic synthesis and key issues to consider when planning a thematic synthesis.