Promoting generalisation in qualitative nursing research using the multiple case narrative approach: a methodological overview

BACKGROUND: The ability to generalise research generated findings to different contexts is a significant, yet overlooked, feature in qualitative studies conducted in nursing, where evidence-based clinical practice is highly regarded. The multiple case narrative is a constructivist-narrative approach, claimed to not only have the potential for analytical and case-to-case generalisation but also sample-to-population generalisation. METHODS: This paper provides an overview of multiple case narrative by comparing it with similar methodologies, reviewing studies that have used this approach and critically evaluating its capacity for producing generalisable results. RESULTS: The multiple case narrative approach addresses limitations of collective case study, case survey and meta-ethnography by employing greater sample sizes and more generalisable results. Most studies previously using this approach have been performed in the education field and with the purpose of overcoming sample size limitations in qualitative research. The approach offers a uniquely systematic approach to analysis by finding associations between categories generated from collective analysis of large number of cases and providing the potential for sample to population generalisation. CONCLUSION: Multiple case narrative, which to date has been underutilised, is a systematic approach with characteristics that make it an efficient research technique to provide valid qualitative evidence.