Table 1.

Steps of meta-synthesis according to Noblit and Hare (1988)

step	Description of steps
1	The beginning of the study: To determine the research question (the aim of the study)
2	Deciding on the choice of research studies related to the research topic: Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria
3	Evaluation of studies: Reviewing the studies entered and examining the key concepts for data extraction
4	Deciding on how to relate studies: Creating code sheet and tables that include related concepts in the studies
5	Translating studies to each other: Comparing the key concepts of studies and translating them to each other
6	Synthesis of translated concepts: Creating a holistic concept
7	Presentation of synthesized findings