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Table 3 Criteria for classifying papers according to relevance

From: Evaluating complex interventions in context: systematic, meta-narrative review of case study approaches

Relevance

Main criteria

Additional criteria

High

Explicitly mentions and focuses on all three topics (3Cs) of case study, context and complex health interventions

Mentions 2Cs PLUS it: shows depth and explanation of ‘case’; may have theory relevant to context and/or complexity

Partial

Mentions 3Cs but appears to give very little detail

Close reading of methods does not give clear indication of focus or depth

Low

A case study of a complex intervention (2Cs)

The description or the research means there are questions over overall quality or relevance to questions of context, complexity or case study methodology