DNP 820 TOPIC 6 DQ 1
What effect does a meta-synthesis or meta-analysis have on research translation? Describe a clinical practice in place that is supported by this level of evidence. Provide relevant literature to support your response.
Sample Answer
What effect does a meta-synthesis or meta-analysis have on research translation? Describe a clinical practice in place that is supported by this level of evidence.
Meta-analysis is a practice that critiques, integrates and analyses the statistical outcomes of similar studies. It applies quantitative methods in synthesizing and summarizing results from similar studies thereby using aggregate findings to establish the ‘truth’. It has a significant effect on research translation is it objectively evaluates quantitative research findings with a focus on testing a hypothesis (Hall & Roussel, 2022). For instance, different studies on Covid-19 vaccine efficacy can be subjected to meta-analysis that reveals if the vaccine has a true effect on preventing individuals from contracting the virus or improving recovery in case of infection.
On the other hand, meta-synthesis brings together and breaks down qualitative findings by examining them, discovering essential features and phenomena, and transforming the findings into a new understanding (Hall & Roussel, 2022). There are three types of meta-synthesis. First, descriptive meta-synthesis that provides a broad description of a research phenomenon. Second, theory explication that re-conceptualizes the original research results with new understandings and explanations. Third, theory building that brings together different research results and presents them at a theoretical level to justify a tentative theory. In essence, meta-synthesis integrates qualitative research findings with a focus on developing a new theory. The results of a meta-synthesis are useful for providing a snapshot of the interpretation of the phenomenon or event, even as it brings the many interpretations together to strengthen evidence that new themes are discovered or that there are new interpretations (Schmidt & Brown, 2019). For example, an interview with patients in an urban areas may reveal that they are comfortable using telehealth while those in rural areas may reveal that they are not conformable using telehealth. Meta-synthesis could reveal that familiarity with telehealth technology could make them comfortable using it, thus resulting in a new theory that training helps to improve telehealth acceptance and use.
References
- Hall, H. R., & Roussel, L. A. (2022). Evidence-Based Practice: An Integrative Approach to Research, Administration, and Practice (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
- Schmidt, N., & Brown, J. (2019). Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses: Appraisal and Application of Research (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
