TY - JOUR AU - Gentles, Stephen J. AU - Charles, Cathy AU - Nicholas, David B. AU - Ploeg, Jenny AU - McKibbon, K. Ann PY - 2016 DA - 2016/10/11 TI - Reviewing the research methods literature: principles and strategies illustrated by a systematic overview of sampling in qualitative research JO - Systematic Reviews SP - 172 VL - 5 IS - 1 AB - Overviews of methods are potentially useful means to increase clarity and enhance collective understanding of specific methods topics that may be characterized by ambiguity, inconsistency, or a lack of comprehensiveness. This type of review represents a distinct literature synthesis method, although to date, its methodology remains relatively undeveloped despite several aspects that demand unique review procedures. The purpose of this paper is to initiate discussion about what a rigorous systematic approach to reviews of methods, referred to here as systematic methods overviews, might look like by providing tentative suggestions for approaching specific challenges likely to be encountered. The guidance offered here was derived from experience conducting a systematic methods overview on the topic of sampling in qualitative research. SN - 2046-4053 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0343-0 DO - 10.1186/s13643-016-0343-0 ID - Gentles2016 ER -