Table 1 Draft search strategy for Medline for Stage 1 methodological systematic review

1

metaethnograph*.mp.

2

meta ethnograph*.mp.

3

Meta-ethnograph*.mp.

4

qualitative evidence synthes?s.mp.

5

noblit.mp.

6

(qualitative adj2 (review or systematic or overview)).mp.

7

(“third order” adj2 construct*).mp.

8

(“line* of argument” or “line*-of-argument”)

9

(metanarrative or meta narrative or meta-narrative or metasynthes?s or meta synthes?s or meta-synthes?s).mp.

10

or/1–9

11

((good or best or recommend* or quality) adj3 (guid* or design or standards or practice or practices or reporting or method*)).mp.

12

((publishing or reporting) adj2 (guid* or design or standards or practice or practices or method*)).mp.

13

Publishing/st [Standards]

14

methods/st

15

11 or 12 or 13 or 14

16

10 and 15