Traditional research methods often struggle to synthesize the rich, context-dependent insights of qualitative studies into broader, integrative understandings. We introduce the construct of emergence to qualitative meta-studies, positioning it as both an epistemological foundation and a methodological principle. While emergence has been explored in complexity science, its implications for qualitative synthesis remain largely unexamined. We argue that qualitative meta-analysis, when structured around emergence, allows for the identification of higher-order patterns, relational dynamics, and conceptual advancements that transcend individual studies. Beyond its theoretical contributions, this paper serves as an actionable companion for scholars conducting qualitative meta-studies. It provides a structured, step-by-step framework designed to help researchers systematically integrate diverse qualitative traditions while preserving interpretive richness. The paper presents a taxonomy of key methodological challenges encountered in qualitative synthesis and offers concrete heuristics for fostering emergence and generating higher-order theoretical contributions. Additionally, it delivers a set of applied strategies to guide scholars in conducting qualitative meta-analysis with both rigor and adaptability. To support the broader dissemination of qualitative meta-studies, the paper also identifies suitable publication outlets. By advancing qualitative meta-analysis as both a research tool and an epistemological stance, this paper invites scholars to approach synthesis as a generative and methodologically grounded process—one that not only retains the depth and complexity of qualitative inquiry but also enables the discovery of new theoretical insights that are both meaningful and actionable for contemporary scholarship.
Jacqueline Fendt (Fri,) studied this question.