Assessment criteria of CIS according to Depraetere et al (2020)44
| Key feature | Description of the evaluation criteria for obtaining score 1 |
| Data extraction | Recurring themes/concepts are identified and the analysis technique (based on the meta-ethnography, including an inductive approach) is clearly described. |
| Synthesising argument | A synthesising argument is described, and the applied analysis technique (ie, examining the relationship between the concepts, refining the identified concepts, creating higher-order construct and constructing a conceptual/theoretical framework) is described. The analysis technique is based on meta-ethnography and includes an inductive approach. |
| Inclusion of various methods | Selected studies are specified (either in text, table or appendix where the number of different research results included in the review are described) and include various research results (ie, quantitative and qualitative and/or mixed methods). |
| Flexible inclusion criteria | Selection strategy is described either by specifying inclusion criteria that allow for the inclusion of both qualitative and quantitative research results. Or by specifying that the selection of sources is based on relevance to the research question without utilising specific criteria. |
| Quality appraisal | Quality appraisal is described and based on likely relevance and contribution to the theory that is being developed. Some form of quality appraisal may occur, and methodologically weak studies may be excluded. However, emphasis is placed on likely relevance and is also described as such by the authors. |
| Two-staged sampling process | Sampling strategy is reported (including a description about the number of sources found and selected in text and/or in flow chart) and includes a two-staged sampling process starting with purposive sampling, followed by theoretical sampling to add, test and elaborate the emerging analysis. |
| Broad searching strategy | At least three searching methods are clearly described (eg, database search, reference chaining, expert consultation (eg, professional librarian, team member familiar with the field, information specialist)) including a description of the used search terms, which databases were searched, etc. If experts were consulted (in addition to database search), the search strategy is automatically considered as broad. |