There has been an accumulation of qualitative studies in recent years,
but little cumulation of the understandings gained from them. Qualita
tive research appears endangered both by efforts to synthesize studies
and by the failure to do so. Techniques used have included reciprocal
translations of key metaphors and concepts and qualitative and quanti
tative comparative analyses to produce narrative and theoretical integ
rations. The major problem yet to be resolved is developing usable and
communicable systematic approaches to conducting metasynthesis projec
ts that maintain the integrity of individual studies. (C) 1997 John Wi
ley & Sons, Inc.