The DOI matches its Crossref record; 11 of the 11 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Aggregating Qualitative Findings: An Approach to Theory Development
Abstract
The authors suggest that findings of independent, similar research articles may be aggregated into a cohesive study. Such a procedure greatly enhances the generalizability of the original studies and produces a relatively solid mid-range theory. In this article, the criteria for selecting studies, possible problems inherent in the aggregation approach, and potential areas for application are discussed.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“That is, as Estabrooks and her colleagues noted, individual qualitative studies are often criticized for having relatively homogenous and small sample sizes, which mitigates generalizability.”
From A grounded theory of positive youth development through sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study (2017) · cites this paper as Estabrooks et al., 1994
In the citing paper
“Furthermore, models created by synthesizing individual qualitative studies provide more generalizability than would be possible from the original studies alone (Estabrooks et al., 1994).”
From A grounded theory of positive youth development through sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study (2017) · cites this paper as Estabrooks et al., 1994
Citations
Cites
Wagner, H. R., Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1968) · Social Forces · doi:10.2307/2575405 · Cited by 46,525
Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques
Long, D. R., Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. M. (1993) · Modern Language Journal · doi:10.2307/328955 · Cited by 17,625
Noblit, G., & Hare, R. (1988) · doi:10.4135/9781412985000 · Cited by 2,723
Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods.
Russell, C. K., & Morse, J. M. (1994) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2076454 · Cited by 2,236
Self-citationFrom practice to grounded theory: qualitative research in nursing
Clarke, M. (1987) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/0020-7489(87)90009-5 · Cited by 455
Theory unmasked: The uses and guises of theory in qualitative research
Sandelowski, M. (1993) · Research in Nursing & Health · doi:10.1002/nur.4770160308 · Cited by 335
Pelto, P. J., & Pelto, G. H. (1978) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511607776 · Cited by 333
Qualitative nursing research: A contemporary dialogue
MacLeod, M. (1992) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/0020-7489(92)90037-h · Cited by 273
The Illness experience: dimensions of suffering
(1991) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.29-0345 · Cited by 138
The Role of Theory in Qualitative Research
Mitchell, G. J., & Cody, W. K. (1993) · Nursing Science Quarterly · doi:10.1177/089431849300600405 · Cited by 115
Research works printed but not linked: 8
- Corbin, J. (1980). Protective governing: Strategies for managing a pregnancy-illness. Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Francisco.
- Corbin, J., 1986, From practice to grounded theory: Qualitative research in nursing, 91
- Glaser, B. G., 1978, Theoretical sensitivity
- Glaser, B. G., The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research
- Field, P. A., 1994, Uncertain motherhood: Negotiating risk in the childbearing years
- Field, P. A., 1985, Nursing research: The application of qualitative methods
- Morse, J. M., 1994, Critical issues in qualitative research methods, 23
- Thorne, S., 1994, Critical issues in qualitative research methods, 263
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 201–259 of 259
Online Health Information Seeking Behaviors of Hispanics in New York City
Lee, Y. J. (2013) · doi:10.7916/d8pg2035 · Cited by 4
Representations of Meta-Ethnography: In Limbo in the Jungle of Misguided Paths?
Bondas, T. E. (2025) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/10497323251316841 · Cited by 6
Sexual Health Among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence
Giurleo, C., McIntyre, A., Harnett, A., Cao, P., Teasell, R. W., & Schmidt, J. (2023) · Sexuality and Disability · doi:10.1007/s11195-023-09804-z · Cited by 3
Reflections on the Past, Present and Future of Systematic Reviews
Webb, C., & Roe, B. H. (2007) · doi:10.1002/9780470692127.ch17 · Cited by 3
Carers and traumatic brain injury: a qualitative synthesis
Martin, K. (2012) · International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation · doi:10.12968/ijtr.2012.19.9.504 · Cited by 3
The impact of systematic reviews on health care policy in England
Bunn, F. (2010) · University of Hertfordshire Research Archive (University of Hertfordshire) · Cited by 3
Cash, M. (2009) · Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University) · Cited by 3
Family coping with mental illness: An aggregate from two studies, Canada and United States*1
Yamashita, M. (1998) · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association · doi:10.1016/s1078-3903(98)90017-9 · Cited by 3
Changing bodies: symptoms, body image, health and wellbeing over the menopausal transition
Pearce, G. (2013) · University of Birmingham Institutional Research Archive (University of Birmingham) · Cited by 3
The Grief Experience of Suicide Survivors: A Qualitative Meta-Summary
Yoon, S., Han, Y., Lee, S., Lee, E., Lee, J., Im, S., & Yang, E. (2020) · 한국심리학회지: 일반 · doi:10.22257/kjp.2020.12.39.4.571 · Cited by 2
Dekkers, R., Carey, L., & Langhorne, P. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-90025-0_3 · Cited by 2
Evaluation of Image Studies in the Field of Education: A Systematic Literature Review
Polat, S. (2023) · Research in Educational Administration & Leadership · doi:10.30828/real.1248610 · Cited by 2
Meta-Synthesizing Qualitative Research in Information Systems
Twinomurinzi, H., & Johnson, R. (2015) · The Journal of Community Informatics · doi:10.15353/joci.v11i3.2762 · Cited by 2
Context and Implications Document for: Origins, methods and advances in qualitative meta‐synthesis
Nye, E., Meléndez‐Torres, G. J., & Bonell, C. P. (2016) · Review of Education · doi:10.1002/rev3.3072 · Cited by 2
Adolescent self-consent for vaccinations: protocol for a mixed methods systematic review
Fisher, H., Hickman, M., Macleod, J., & Audrey, S. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021335 · Cited by 2
Norton, M. (2009) · White Rose eTheses Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) · Cited by 2
McInnes, E. (2005) · Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1741-6787.2005.05007.x · Cited by 2
From Presence to “E-Presence” in Online Nursing Education
Kaiser, L. (2005) · Digital USD (University of San Diego) · doi:10.22371/07.2005.04 · Cited by 2
Qualitative Studies in Management Research: An Emerging Epistemology of Meta-Analysis
Fendt, J. (2023) · doi:10.54026/crpbs/1084 · Cited by 1
Abramowitz, B., Antonenko, P., Ennes, M. E., & Killingsworth, S. (2024) · Journal of Science Education and Technology · doi:10.1007/s10956-024-10169-x · Cited by 1
Soundy, A. (2026) · Lifespan development and mental health. · doi:10.70322/ldmh.2026.10003 · Cited by 4
Zou, L. (2012) · InTech eBooks · doi:10.5772/38337 · Cited by 1
Strategies of Middle-range Theory Development in Nursing
Kim, H. S. (2004) · Seoul National University Open Repository (Seoul National University) · Cited by 1
Moksliniai tyrimai ir inovacijos informatikos moksluose
Kalibatienė, D., & Simanavičienė, R. (2021) · Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetas eBooks · doi:10.20334/2021-053-s · Cited by 1
Principles of Qualitative Synthesis
Dekkers, R., Carey, L., & Langhorne, P. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-90025-0_10 · Cited by 1
Meta-synthesis: Helping Qualitative Research Take its Rightful Place in the Hierarchy of Evidence
Beck, C. T., 中木, 高., & 黒田, 裕. (2011) · doi:10.15065/jjsnr.20110720002 · Cited by 1
Reviewing Qualitative Studies and Metasynthesis
Purssell, E., & McCrae, N. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-49672-2_8 · Cited by 1
Readability Level of English Reading Text Used In The Era of Pandemic
Paranduk, R., Maru, M. G., & Tuerah, J. (2021) · Syntax Literate Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia · doi:10.36418/syntax-literate.v6i7.3557 · Cited by 1
Nazeer, N., Ali, S., & Rind, A. (2022) · International Journal of Finance Insurance and Risk Management · doi:10.35808/ijfirm/338 · Cited by 1
Fishwick, V. R. (2009) · University of Birmingham Institutional Research Archive (University of Birmingham) · Cited by 1
Drew, K. L. (2020) · Liverpool John Moores University · doi:10.24377/ljmu.t.00013008 · Cited by 1
Borkan, J., Goldman, R. E., & Culhane‐Pera, K. A. (2007) · Bohn Stafleu van Loghum eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-90-313-6373-5_12 · Cited by 1
Family Coping with Mental Illness: An Aggregate from Two Studies, Canada and United States
Yamashita, M., & Forsyth, D. M. (1998) · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association · doi:10.1177/107839039800400102 · Cited by 1
(Mis)trusting Health Research Synthesis Studies: Exploring Transformations of 'Evidence'
Petrova, M. (2014) · Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) · Cited by 1
Brouwer, W. (2011) · RePub (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Living with chronic pain : a qualitative study
Peacock, S. M. (2008) · Leicester Research Archive (University of Leicester)
AC ROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF NURSES 'E THICAL CONCERNS
Wadensten, B., Wenneberg, S. R., Silén, M., Tang, P. F., & Ahlström, G. (2010)
Betchoo, N. K. (2014) · Global Journal of Commerce & Management Perspective
Reid, B. B., Sinclair, M., Barr, O. G., Dobbs, F., & Crealey, G. (2010)
Professional Vision Narrative Review
Mangione, G. R., Pettenati, M. C., & Rosa, A. (2016) · Advances in higher education and professional development book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-0711-6.ch001
Designer' s Corner The Potential of Meta-synthesis for Nursing Care Effectiveness Research
Paterson, B. L., & Thorne, S. E. (2003) · Canadian Journal of Nursing Research
Vong, T. (2014) · Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research
Tell me the old, old story or new messages? Five decades of inquiry into the VET teacher development
Clayton, B., & Guthrie, H. B. (2013) · Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University)
Social Accountability and Improvement of Health Services in Zimbabwe: The Case of Shamva District
Gumbo, O. (2021) · Services for Science and Education-United Kingdom eBooks · doi:10.14738/eb.145.2021
Improving Compliance: Listening to the Patient's Perspective
Coleman, F. (2001) · University of North Florida Digital Commons (University of North Florida)
Arasti, M. R., Mokhtarzadeh, N. G., & Jafarpanah, I. (2022) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4122970
Dekkers, R., Carey, L., & Langhorne, P. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-90025-0_1
Asami, Y., Yago, S., & Okamitsu, M. (2023) · Journal of Japan Academy of Nursing Science · doi:10.5630/jans.43.133
Evidence-based nursing: Blending the art and science
Carter-Snell, C. (2002) · Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing · doi:10.29173/cjen278
Barouji, P. R., Ezati, M., Pourkarimi, J., & Arjmandnia, A. A. (2024) · Quarterly Journal of Managing Education In Organizations · doi:10.61186/meo.13.2.121
Salvitti, S., Gimeno, I. C., Palese, A., Mansutti, I., & Bari, M. D. (2025) · Advances in Health Sciences Education · doi:10.1007/s10459-025-10488-7
An exploration of oncology specialist nurses? roles in nurse-led chemotherapy clinics
Farrell, C. (2014) · Research Explorer (The University of Manchester)
Metadata
- Authors
- Estabrooks, C. A., Field, P. A., & Morse, J. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1994-11
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 503-511
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2144367888
- Cited by
- 261
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 14.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Delphi Technique in Research
- Keywords
- theory development, middle-range theory, generalizability, study selection criteria, qualitative evidence synthesis
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
