Cochrane qualitative and implementation methods group guidance paper 6: reporting guidelines for qualitative, implementation and process evaluation evidence syntheses

OBJECTIVE:

To outline contemporary and novel developments for presentation and reporting of syntheses of qualitative, implementation and process evaluation evidence, and provide recommendations for use of reporting guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

An overview of reporting guidelines for qualitative, implementation and process evaluation evidence syntheses drawing on current international literature and the collective expert knowledge of the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:

Several reporting guidelines exist that can be used or adapted to report syntheses of qualitative, implementation and process evaluation evidence. Methods to develop individual guidance varied. The use of a relevant reporting guideline can enhance the transparency, consistency and quality of reporting. Guidelines exist that are: generic; method specific; and for particular aspects of the reviewing process eg searching. Caution is expressed over the potential for reporting guidelines to produce a mechanistic approach moving the focus away from the content and towards the procedural aspects of the review. The use of a reporting guideline is recommended and a five-step decision flowchart to guide the choice of reporting guideline is provided. Gaps remain in method specific reporting guidelines such as mixed-study, implementation and process evaluation evidence syntheses.