Table 3.

Critical interpretive synthesis.

Adapted from Dixon-Woods et al. [18]

Although non-linear and iterative, critical interpretive synthesis could be understood to follow these steps
Step	Sub-step
1. Using a broad, provisional research question, undertake a literature search
2. Gather identified papers into a sampling frame
3. Iteratively select sources from the sample frame, review and extract data	(a) Sources are purposively selected from the sample frame using principles of theoretical sampling (e.g. contribution to research goal); fatally flawed studies are discarded
	(b) Extract data using the thematic method to develop codes for key arguments and phrases and theories; cluster codes into themes
	(c) Continue theoretical sampling, data extraction and theme development until theoretical saturation
4. Synthesize arguments from the themes, integrating these with existing evidence