Scenario A

1. Scenario A • We were interested in different ways that electronic patient records (EPRs) have been conceptualised across the evidence base. We identified over 500 full-text sources including 24 previous systematic reviews and 94 additional primary studies from a variety of literatures. We identified seven tensions in the ways EPRs had been differently conceptualised and studied by different communities of researchers.

2. Scenario B • We examined adherence/nonadherenceto tuberculosis treatments through the perspectives of patients, care givers, or health care providers. First we identified concepts, themes, metaphors and patterns, reflecting participants' understandings as reported in the included studies, by reading/rereading these studies. Next we inductively developed categories from the themes/concepts. Then we compared how concepts/themes in one article translated to concepts/ themes in other articles. Finally we developed an overarching framework by considering if and how the translations and authors' interpretations linked together.

3. Scenario C • We aimed to answer 'what interventions and strategies are effective in enabling evidence-informed healthcare?'. We sought to identify how certain causes might lead to certain effects , exploring how these relationships work and under what conditions. First we defined key terms and concepts to determine the scope of the review and developed an outcome-focused theoretical framework. Next we searched for and scrutinised evidence within four different “theory areas”. Then we extracted data into evidence tables, before theming and formulating chains of inference, linking between these chains of inference to formulate several hypotheses. Finally we developed a narrative, including hypotheses generated within one specific theory area.

4. Scenario D • We sought to enhance existing systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of workplace interventions for smoking with a synthesis of relevant qualitative evidence. We started by systematically identifying existing theories to create an a priori structure for subsequent synthesis. Any qualitative data not explained by concepts within this initial structure were organised into new themes/concepts. These new themes were then integrated within the existing structure. The result was a new conceptual model for describing and explaining the phenomenon within the specific context required for this review (i.e. the workplace). This model was subsequently used to generate a hypothesis or theory for later testing.

5. Scenario E • We sought to examine obstacles to implementation of Evidence Based Practice in a specific context. After extensive searching and sifting, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. 85 different findings were found in these studies and these were classified in 9 major categories. These categories were further analysed to produce 4 synthesized statements. These statements were identified as underpinning one or more of a series of implications for practice and/or policy and recommendations were subsequently made for the context under investigation.

6. Scenario F • We sought to develop new concepts of continuity of care through an interpretive process. Instead of following a conventional ‘stage’ systematic review process we preferred a more flexible, iterative, dynamic, reflexive approach. We examined how, if at all, authors of each report drew on preidentified concepts or derived alternative concepts, examining why these were preferred and tracking the progressive understanding for each separate project. Next we focussed on similarities and differences in the final positions adopted by each project. We aimed to assess how much projects had eventually endorsed, modified or questioned the original conceptual framework. We also considered how any proposed modifications or revisions extended our understanding of “continuity of care”. Finally, we developed a more overarching interpretation of findings from our review. This enabled us to form conclusions about advances made in conceptualising continuity of care adding to this through our own synthesis.