Qualitative evidence synthesis (QES), or systematic reviews of primary qualitative research, are becoming more common both within and outside Cochrane. The methods for undertaking these reviews are now well developed. Findings from QES are increasingly used in decision making processes, including to inform the development of clinical, health system and social welfare recommendations (e.g. by WHO, NICE) and to inform decisions across a wide range of public health and other areas.

This course will introduce and detail QES: what it is, how its findings can be applied, methodological steps in conducting a QES and how to assess and describe the level of confidence to place in QES findings (GRADE-CERQual approach). The GRADE-CERQual approach is now recommended for all Cochrane qualitative evidence syntheses. We will use presentations, small groups, and illustrate material using applied examples.

Delivery & dates

Face-to-face teaching in Melbourne over two sessions:

• Tuesday 19 October - 9.30am to 4.30pm

• Wednesday 20 October - 9.30am to 2.30pm

Target audience 

Reviewers working on systematic reviews of qualitative evidence.

Course leader

Dr Meghan Bohren is a Senior Lecturer in Gender and Women’s Health in the Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. She is an experienced Cochrane author and an associate editor with Cochrane’s Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group. Her focus is on systematic reviews impacting populations and systems in low- and middle-income countries, and methodological research related to qualitative evidence syntheses. She is a co-coordinator of the CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research) coordinating group.

Cost

$368 per participant with discounts for group tickets.