Data on the Philippine Studies on Microplastics: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis Through Thematic Analysis
Description
This dataset compiles a systematically curated collection of 45 peer-reviewed studies on microplastics (MPs) in the Philippines, synthesized for a qualitative meta-synthesis using thematic analysis. The dataset serves as the evidentiary basis for identifying descriptive and analytic themes related to the occurrence, distribution, and impacts of MPs across environmental and biological matrices in the Philippine context. Each entry represents a single published study retrieved primarily from credible sources, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed, selected based on predefined inclusion criteria aligned with qualitative synthesis methodology. The dataset captures bibliographic, geographic, and thematic attributes necessary for transparent and reproducible thematic analysis.
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A qualitative meta-synthesis through thematic analysis was conducted to integrate heterogeneous evidence spanning environmental monitoring, biological studies, and mechanistic research on microplastics in the Philippine context. This approach prioritizes conceptual integration over quantitative pooling, allowing diverse forms of evidence to be synthesized into policy-relevant insights. A systematic literature search was performed across Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science covering publications from 2016 to 2025, using controlled vocabulary and keywords related to microplastics, plastic particles, the Philippines, ecotoxicology, food chains, plastic pollution, and health risk. The search identified 85 records; after removal of duplicates (n = 29), 54 titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text assessment of 47 articles. Ultimately, 45 studies (coded from S01–S45) met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the meta-synthesis. From each study, data were extracted on environmental or biological context, sampling location, sample matrix, study type, methods, key findings, and reported limitations. Extracted information was coded and organized into descriptive themes (coded as DT01–DT06), which were subsequently synthesized into higher-order analytical themes (coded as AT01–AT06) addressing exposure pathways, health risks, and regulatory and governance considerations. The overall analytic progression. from research objective and systematic evidence identification to thematic synthesis and interpretation
Institutions
- National University