As you are synthesizing your results, you may be doing so qualitatively, quantitatively, or using a mix of both approaches. There are various techniques that you can use for a narrative synthesis, along with software that can help with qualitative or quantitative synthesis.
| Technique | Description | Advantage | Limitation |
| Text description | Organizes a summary of the same characteristics with consistent annotation of studies | Keeps details of each study together | Challenging to see themes |
| Tabulation | Creates a table of study elements and findings | Compares characteristics | Does not synthesize |
| Categorization | Groups/clusters studies around particular characteristic(s) | Allows visualization of patterns | May limit ability to see concepts across all studies |
| Thematic analysis | Identifies themes using a rubric to analyze content | Consistent | Takes time to develop a rubric |
| Relationship descriptions |
Identifies relationships between primary study findings and characteristics of the study Determines differences between and within studies |
Allows possibility of sub analysis | May be challenging with a large number of studies |
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