Qualitative evidence syntheses (QES) have increased in prominence and profile over the last decade as a discrete set of methodologies to undertake systematic reviews of primary qualitative research in health and social care and in education. The findings from a qualitative evidence synthesis can enable a richer interpretation of a particular phenomenon, set of circumstances, or experiences than single primary qualitative research studies can achieve. Qualitative evidence synthesis methods were developed in response to an increasing demand from health and social professionals, policy makers, guideline developers and educationalists for review evidence that goes beyond “what works” afforded by systematic reviews of effectiveness. The increasing interest in the synthesis of qualitative research has led to methodological developments documented across a plethora of texts and journal articles. This “State of the Method” paper aims to bring together these methodological developments in one place, contextualizing advances in methods with exemplars to support readers in making choices in approach to a synthesis and aid understanding. The paper clarifies what a “qualitative evidence synthesis” is and explores its role, purpose and development. It details the kind of questions a QES can explore, the processes associated with a QES, including the methods for synthesis. The rational and methods for integrating a QES with systematic reviews of effectiveness are also detailed. Finally approaches reporting and recognition of what a “good” or rigorous QES look like are provided.

在过去的十年中，定性证据综合（QES）的知名度和知名度不断提高，这是作为一套独立的方法来对卫生，社会护理和教育领域的基本定性研究进行系统的综述。定性证据综合的发现可以比单个主要定性研究获得更丰富的解释，可以解释特定现象，特定情况或经历。定性证据综合方法的开发是为了响应卫生和社会专业人士，政策制定者，指南制定者和教育学家对审查证据的日益增长的需求，这些证据超出了系统地评估有效性所提供的“有效方法”的范围。对定性研究综合的兴趣日益浓厚，导致方法论的发展记录在大量的文本和期刊文章中。这“方法的现状”论文旨在将这些方法学的发展整合到一起，并结合范例对方法学的发展进行背景介绍，以支持读者选择综合方法并帮助理解。本文阐明了“定性证据综合”是什么，并探讨了其作用，目的和发展。它详细介绍了QES可以探索的问题种类，与QES相关的过程，包括综合方法。还详细介绍了将QES与有效性的系统评价相结合的合理性和方法。最后，提供了报告和识别“好”或严格QES外观的方法。