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. by the Cochrane Collaboration, for summarising best available evidence to support health care decision-making (including health technology assessment) and to guide future research. The main aims of the module are to provide you with an understanding of contemporaneous methods used in systematic reviewing and evidence synthesis and the rationale behind these methods, and to equip you with the fundamental skills required to carry out a systematic review relating to a range of health care related questions (for example, effectiveness, diagnostic accuracy and qualitative research questions).
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.
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.
Content
On completion you will be able to:
- Describe the key steps in undertaking a systematic review and evidence synthesis.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale behind the steps and methods for undertaking a systematic review.
- Formulate a clear research question and systematically search relevant repositories of evidence.
- Understand the similarities and differences in the approaches to synthesising different types of evidence (e.g. clinical effectiveness, diagnostic test accuracy, qualitative evidence).
- Critically appraise different types of evidence using suitable tools.
- Use appropriate software to carry out meta-analysis and interpret the results.
- Understand the importance and the process of developing a plan for carrying out a systematic review.
Attendance required
2 block weeks of teaching.
Course dates
25-29 November and 9-13 December
Assessment
- An assignment based on skills taught during the module (50%).
- A 2.5 hour written in-person examination (50%).
Coordinators
Dr David Moore and Ms Janine Dretzke
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.
- For further information on fees or entry requirements, please contact the Programme Administrator at mph@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
You can choose to study this course as either a microcredential or a non-credit CPD shortcourse.
Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?
- Usually taken from exisiting modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
- Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
- Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
- Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
- Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.
Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit shortcourse version.
Apply for the Microcredential
Non-credit short course
The microcredential and the non-credit short course follow the same course structure, the difference between them both is with the non-credit short course you do not take the assessment at the end therefore you will not receive credits but will recieve a certificate of completion, this certificate cannot be converted to credits.
Please note if you apply for the non-credit short course, you cannot swap to the microcredential version once registered.
Apply for the non-credit CPD shortcourse