5. Systematic reviews of textual evidence: narrative, expert opinion or policy

Pearson A, Jordan Z, McArthur A, Florescu S, Cooper A, Yan H, Klugarova J, Stannard D, Edwards D.

We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our late colleague, Dr Catalin Tufanaru, who was a member of the JBI Textual Evidence Methods group in 2018, and passed away in July 2021.

How to cite: 

Pearson A, Jordan Z, McArthur A, Florescu S, Cooper A, Yan H, Klugarova J, Stannard D, Edwards D. Systematic reviews of textual evidence: narrative, expert opinion or policy (2024). Aromataris E, Lockwood C, Porritt K, Pilla B, Jordan Z, editors. JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI; 2024. Available from: https://synthesismanual.jbi.global. https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMES-24-04

Chapter Summary

It is now widely recognised that an inclusive approach to what is considered evidence to inform policy and practice is necessary. Methodologies for the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence are well established but the synthesis of non-research evidence remains relatively new. JBI has developed a methodological approach to the synthesis of this type of evidence, understanding there is a unique role for textual evidence to play to inform decision making where research is lacking. The JBI approach, first published in 2004 has recently been revised and as a result there have been some significant changes and advances in thinking and conceptualisation, including three separate critical appraisal tools for narrative, expert opinion and policy. In simplistic terms:

• When assessing narrative, the focus is on authenticity.

• When assessing expert opinion, the focus is on motive.

• When assessing policy, the focus is on credibility (drawing on critical discourse analysis).

Our hope is that systematic review authors find this new guidance useful, and the JBI Textual Evidence Methods group would welcome any constructive feedback.