Writing a Cochrane systematic review workshop (2 Days)

This workshop provides authors, at the beginning of the Cochrane systematic review process, with an in-depth understanding of how Cochrane reviews are structured. It offers an insight to the development of a Cochrane protocol, introducing participants to Cochrane methodology, search methods, data extraction and meta-analysis. This workshop also includes an introduction to RevMan software and its use during protocol development.

Learning outcomes

In this course participants will be enabled to:

Understand the basic principles of a systematic review

Identify the scope of their review

Understand search methods and apply these methods to their search strategy

Apply the criteria for selecting studies

Understand the principles of creating a data collection form and of data extraction.

Attain a basic understanding of principles of meta-analysis

Identify heterogeneity and understand the methods for assessing and addressing it

Teaching strategies

The workshop will consist of a mixture of short presentations, led by members of the Cochrane Ireland teaching faculty covering each of the stages of developing a systematic review protocol, small group activities and plenary discussions, providing participants with the opportunity to develop and refine their protocol.

Facilitators

Dr Linda Biesty, Evidence Synthesis Ireland and NUIG

Prof Declan Devane, Cochrane Ireland & Evidence Synthesis Ireland

Registration, and further details, are available here. The number of participants for the course is limited to 35.