title: Meta-analysis of qualitative studies: a tool for reviewing qualitative research findings in psychotherapy.
abstract: This article focuses on the presentation of qualitative meta-analysis as a method for reviewing qualitative studies. Qualitative meta-analysis is an attempt to conduct a rigorous secondary qualitative analysis of primary qualitative findings. Its purpose*to provide a more comprehensive description of a phenomenon and an assessment of the influence of the method of investigation on findings*is discussed. The distinctive features of conducting meta-analysis approaches are presented. Several considerations important for conducting qualitative meta-analysis are also discussed. The author uses examples of the first experiences attempted with qualitative meta-analysis in the field of psychotherapy research.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. timulakl@tcd.ie
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Timulak
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*