Learn how to conduct a systematic review in six half-day sessions over five weeks (Wednesday 8 September to Friday 8 October)
This course is aimed at authors of systematic reviews of intervention effectiveness who wish to follow Cochrane methods. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the methods required to write a protocol and get started on a review.
The course is suitable for people with little or no experience in systematic reviews who have identified a review question. For more experienced authors, we cover several new topics in the Cochrane Handbook, including new risk of bias tools and synthesising results when meta-analysis is not possible.
We are conscious to minimise didactic presentations, so wherever feasible the course includes breakout groups, hands-on exercises and practicals, and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Course facilitators include Dr Sue Brennan, A/Prof Joanne McKenzie, Dr Matthew Page and Steve McDonald. As well as being experienced review authors and trainers, we are research methodologists specialising in the range of methods covered by the course and responsible for developing guidance contained in several of the Cochrane Handbook chapters.
Outline
Session 1 - Wed 8 Sept 9am-1pm
Different types of reviews, studies and questions; writing the protocol; defining the review question and setting the eligibility criteria.
Session 2 - Wed 15 Sept 9am-1pm
Searching and selecting studies; using Covidence for screening; risk of bias assessment (critical appraisal) of included studies.
Session 3- Wed 22 Sept 9am-1pm
Assessing the risk of bias of a randomised trial using Cochrane RoB 2; collecting data; common data types encountered in systematic reviews.
Session 4 - Wed 29 Sept 9am-1pm
Preparing for synthesis; introduction to meta-analysis; practical in how to use RevMan; heterogeneity.
Session 5 - Wed 6 Oct 9am-1pm
Introduction to network meta-analysis; synthesising results when meta-analysis is not possible.
Session 6 - Fri 8 Oct 9am-1pm
Assessing reporting bias; assessing the certainty of the evidence; applying GRADE and using GRADEPro.
Electronic copies of the slides are provided ahead of time and sessions are recorded. Participants require access to the Review Manager software (free to download) for the practical RevMan session.
Cost
This workshop is:
Free for authors of registered Cochrane reviews
$440 for non-Cochrane authors
$330 for non-Cochrane author full-time students