title: Methods for knowledge synthesis: an overview.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To highlight recent advances in knowledge synthesis methods and reporting guidelines.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Knowledge synthesis is critical to advancing practice, research, and policy, but synthesizing knowledge from an often-heterogeneous body of literature is challenging.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of knowledge synthesis methods and reporting guidelines for health sciences research was completed using Google Scholar, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycInfo. Relevant information was critiqued and summarized for applicability to health science and practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent advances and guidelines pertaining to systematic reviews, meta-analysis, qualitative synthesis, mixed studies reviews, integrative reviews, scoping reviews, RE-AIM reviews, and umbrella reviews are discussed and examples of the application of each method to cardiopulmonary research are provided. Methods of quality appraisal are also presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advancements in knowledge synthesis and reporting guidelines enhance the quality, scope, and applicability of results; thus improving health science and clinical practice, and advancing health policy.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittemore
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA.
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA. Electronic address: myoungock.jang@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Myoungock
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA.
authors.forename: Karl E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Minges
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT 06477, USA.
authors.forename: Chorong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
keywords: Integrative review; Meta-analysis; Metasynthesis; Mixed studies reviews; Systematic review