Background: Evidence from qualitative research is increasingly included in Cochrane Reviews and qualitative evidence syntheses are now being published in the Cochrane Library. A key task for authors of qualitative evidence syntheses is assessing how much confidence to place in the findings of these syntheses and we have developed the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual) approach to address this need. CERQual assessments need to consider dissemination bias – the selective dissemination (or non-publication) of qualitative findings or studies – as this may systematically distort representation of the phenomenon of interest.
Objectives: To explore awareness and understanding of, and factors contributing to, dissemination bias among qualitative researchers.
Methods: Drawing on a survey by Malički et Marušić (2014), who studied dissemination bias in quantitative research, we developed a questionnaire on researchers’ experience with (non-)publication of qualitative research and the potential factors contributing to this issue, e.g. publication practice for qualitative research and perception of dissemination bias in qualitative research. We will pilot-test the questionnaire with experienced qualitative researchers and then conduct an online survey among qualitative researchers, peer-reviewers, and journal editors. Participants will be recruited via existing networks of qualitative researchers and through the author lists of recently published qualitative studies (Booth 2011).
Quantitative survey data will be described in proportions while a thematic analysis will be conducted for narrative data.
Outlook: The survey will be conducted from May to June 2015. The findings will support understanding and awareness of dissemination bias in qualitative research. Furthermore, they might inform the ongoing development of the GRADE-CERQual tool with regard to inclusion of a 'dissemination bias' component.