Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis - Short Course

Program Overview

This systematic review module equips students with the skills to conduct comprehensive literature reviews, including formulating research questions, searching for relevant evidence, assessing study quality, and synthesizing findings. Through lectures, exercises, and computer sessions, students will gain hands-on experience in planning and executing systematic reviews, which are crucial for evidence-based healthcare decision-making and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

A systematic review is a review of literature that adopts explicit and standardised methods for the qualitative and quantitative synthesis of evidence to minimise potential biases and improve the trustworthiness of its findings. The methodology has been widely adopted, e.g.

Outline:

This module covers the key methodological stages of undertaking a systematic review, namely how to:

• Formulate a structured review question
• Search for most relevant and reliable literature
• Critically appraise and assess the risk of bias of different types of studies (e.g.
randomised controlled trials, observational studies)
• Synthesise the identified evidence either qualitatively (narratively) or by meta-analysis
• Present the findings.

Assessment:

• An assignment based on skills taught during the module (50%).
• Open book examination (50%).

Teaching:

Through a combination of lectures, practical exercises and hands-on computer sessions, this module will take you through the journey of planning and conducting a systematic review.

Other:

• Attendance required: 2 block weeks of teaching.
• Prerequisites: Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis can be taken as a standalone course if required, as either an assessed or non assessed week.
Degree level entry requirement. Applications must be received a minimum of one month before the start date of the module.