Here are some upcoming training opportunities on systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. Click on the links to find out more and register!
How to develop a systematic review protocol: an introduction to Cochrane methodology
Where: Online
When: 4-8 April 2022
Cochrane South Africa and Cochrane Sweden are pleased to announce that registration is now open for a 1-week course on Cochrane methodology from 4-8 April 2022. The course is co-hosted by Cochrane South Africa and Cochrane Sweden and will be delivered online. Every morning until lunchtime, the course will be on Zoom with presentations from different researchers across Cochrane and other collaborators as well as group discussions and practical exercises. After lunch, participants will continue working on their own in the online-based Cochrane Interactive Learning Modules (CIL).Core competencies: Participants attending this course will be able to develop high quality, methodologically sound systematic review protocols of healthcare interventions.
The Nottingham systematic review course
Where: Nottingham, UK
When: 28 June – 1 July 2022
This course, organised by the University of Nottingham, is aimed at enabling participants to become proficient in developing and undertaking a Cochrane-style systematic review of interventions. As this is an introductory course, no previous knowledge of systematic reviewing is required. The course utilises a combination of lectures, small group discussions, workshops, library-based interactive tutorials, with hands on practical work at computer stations using RevMan and Endnote software. Review Manager (RevMan) is the software used for preparing and maintaining Cochrane Reviews. No prior knowledge is required, though to maximise your learning, you are asked to have considered the topic (PICO) of your own review prior to the course.
Cochrane Learning Live webinars
Meta-ethnography
Where: Online
When: 17 March 2022, 14.00 UTC
This sixth webinar of the Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) & Learning Live series will introduce attendees to one of the longest standing methods for QES, Meta-ethnography. Meta-ethnography was developed in the late 1980s specifically for the purpose of synthesising qualitative research. Using worked examples, the webinar will cover the purpose and processes associated with the Meta-ethnographic approach to QES, as developed by its original authors Noblit and Hare. Detail will be given of the types of questions a Meta-ethnography can answer and decision making about when to adopt it as an approach. Finally, the webinar will examine the use of the reporting guideline eMERGe, specifically developed for the reporting of Meta-ethnographies.
Quantiles of the marginal and conditional dose-response relation based on weighted mixed-effects models
Where: Online
When: 24 March 2022, 09:00 UTC
Questions about the shape of the dose-response relationship are commonly asked based on multiple tables of aggregated and correlated estimates. The aim of this Cochrane Learning Live webinar is to provide an understanding of weighted mixed-effects models and how to conduct statistical inference on marginal and conditional quantiles of the dose-response relation. Simulated and real examples will be used to illustrate possible applications of the statistical model as well as statistical software. The session is aimed at statisticians and meta-analysts with some familiarity with random-effects regression models and meta-analysis.
GRADE CERQual
Where: Online
When: 25 April 2022, 13:00 UTC
This seventh webinar of the Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) & Learning Live series will introduce the GRADE-CERQual approach and the iSoQ tool. Qualitative research makes a key contribution to understanding complex issues in health and social care and is increasingly being used to inform decisions in these arenas. One thing decision makers need to know is how much confidence to place in findings emanating from the synthesis of qualitative evidence. GRADE-CERQual is a systematic and transparent approach to assessing how much confidence to place in the individual findings of a qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) (systematic review of qualitative research), and is a key step in a Cochrane QES. A GRADE-CERQual confidence assessment is based on the assessment of four components: methodological limitations, relevance, adequacy and coherence. Concerns with any of the components may reduce our confidence in a review finding. The new iSoQ tool (interactive summary of qualitative findings) is an online data-management software to assist review authors with applying the GRADE-CERQual approach.
A day with… Equity Methods Group
Where: Online
When: 27 April 2022, 12:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC
Join the Equity Methods Group as we turn the spotlight on their work for a day. A brief video will introduce the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group, its people, its work and find out ways to get involved. A collection of online resources will be compiled for the day. As part of the collection, we will offer special free access to the Cochrane Interactive Learning module 11: Health equity in systematic reviews, from April 13th until May 11th 2022. A highlight of the day will be a 60-min session with a series of brief presentations, followed by questions and answers. The session will be chaired by Lawrence Mbuagbaw (Equity Methods Group Co-convenor; Departments of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact and Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University; Cochrane Canada; Cochrane Cameroon).
The ROB-MEN tool to evaluate the risk of bias due to missing evidence in network meta-analysis
Where: Online
When: 5 May 2022, 13:00 UTC
In this Cochrane Learning Live webinar the ROB-MEN framework will be presented and the web application (available here) will be demonstrated through an example. The audience will be able to learn how to assess the risk of bias due to missing evidence (i.e. evidence missing due to unpublished studies and/or selective outcome reporting) in the network estimates using ROB-MEN. The session will consist of a short introductory presentation followed by a live demonstration of the software with pauses for Q&A. It is aimed at people who have undertaken a systematic review that includes a network meta-analysis, or are interested in doing so.
Integrating qualitative evidence syntheses with intervention effect findings
Where: Online
When: 16 May 2022, 13:00 UTC
Qualitative evidence syntheses often generate theories and explanations for why and how interventions work from the perspectives of those delivering or using the intervention. This eighth and final webinar of the Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) & Learning Live webinar series focuses on how to understand variation in intervention effects by integrating the findings of a qualitative evidence synthesis with results from intervention evaluations. This webinar will introduce a range of approaches, methods and tools that can be used to achieve this. It will begin by outlining the types of questions for which diverse evidence from qualitative and quantitative research is needed. It will then provide worked examples of approaches, methods and tools illustrating which might work best in different contexts. The webinar will then move on to discuss how to appraise integration methods and key issues to consider when planning an integration.
Cochrane Oral Health 