Using Mixed Methods Research Synthesis for Literature Reviews

Patrick Onghena was born in Deurne (Belgium) on February 3, 1965. After obtaining his Master (1988) and PhD degree (1994) in Psychology at KU Leuven, he became an Associate Professor in 1995 and Full Professor in 2004 at the same university, where he teaches methodology and statistics to majors in educational sciences and psychology. He is a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney and at the Universitat de Barcelona. His research interests include randomization, single-case experimental design, meta-analysis, and mixed methods research.

"This text absolutely offers an avenue for introducing new ways of getting at information in the literature and combining it for effective explanations of results using a chosen methodology."

• Chapter 1: Introduction to MMRS Literature ReviewsHistorical Sketch, Concepts, and DefinitionsOverview of the Stages for Conducting MMRS Literature ReviewsOntological Orientations for MMRS Literature ReviewsPractical Guidelines for Conducting MMRS Literature ReviewsPotentials and Pitfalls for MMRS Literature ReviewsChapter 2: Preparing for an MMRS Literature ReviewBuilding a Review TeamPreparing for the Protocol PhaseDeveloping a ProtocolEthics Involved in Conducting MMRS Literature ReviewsAdvantages and Pitfalls of the Preparatory PhaseChapter 3: Searching for Relevant StudiesSearch ProcessInclusion and Exclusion CriteriaDocumenting and Reporting the Search Process and ResultsChallenges of Data Collection and Eligibility Criteria for MMRS Literature ReviewsChapter 4: Quality Assessment of Primary Research StudiesDefining Quality AssessmentShould We Appraise the Quality of Studies and Why?Approaches to Quality AssessmentWhat Sort of Tools Are Available to Support Quality Assessment of Primary Studies?Dealing With the Outcome of a Quality Assessment ExerciseRemaining Challenges for the Quality Assessment StageChapter 5: Extracting Descriptive DataRationale for Descriptive Data ExtractionFour Steps for Extracting Descriptive DataSystematic and Transparent Descriptive Data Extraction ProcessPresenting the Extracted Descriptive Data in the MMRS ReportChallenges of Descriptive Data Extraction for MMRS Literature ReviewsChapter 6: Data Synthesis for Segregated MMRS Literature ReviewsData Synthesis for Segregated, Integrated, and Contingent MMRSPossible Data Synthesis Approaches for Segregated MMRSSynthesis Approaches for the Qualitative Strand of a Segregated MMRSSynthesis Approaches for the Quantitative Strand of a Segregated MMRSBringing the Findings of the Qualitative and the Quantitative Strand TogetherChapter 7: Data Synthesis for Integrated MMRS Literature ReviewsPossible Data Synthesis Approaches for Integrated MMRSQuantitizing ApproachesQualitizing ApproachesMixed Synthesis ApproachesChapter 8: Data Synthesis for Contingent MMRS Literature ReviewsData Synthesis for Contingent MMRSA Closer Look at Often Used Data Synthesis Approaches for Contingent MMRSAlternative Data Synthesis Approaches for Contingent MMRS: Bayesian SynthesesChapter 9: Reporting MMRS Literature ReviewsWriting ProcessThe MMRS ReportPublication Outlets for MMRS Protocols and Literature ReviewsChallenges of Reporting and Publishing MMRS Literature Reviews