With increasing interest in complex social and public health interventions, attention within the systematic review community is shifting beyond “what works” to exploring “what works for whom under what circumstances”. Such questions require the integration of both qualitative and quantitative data within research projects and PhD theses. Integration can be achieved at several points in the systematic review process; for example, through the methodology itself (e.g. realist syntheses and critical interpretive syntheses), through inclusion of mixed methods studies, and through integrating separate reviews. Integration can take place when focusing the questions, when conducting searching and quality assessment and, above all, in the synthesis and presentation of findings.
 |
| Workshop venue - Halifax Hall, Sheffield |
This course will examine practical examples of integration at all these levels and stages. The Programme Faculty will begin by taking participants through the mixed method review process (Day One) before examining specific methods and mechanisms for integrating quantitative and qualitative data (Day Two). The emphasis will be on opening up a toolbox of possible approaches rather than focusing on a single, popularised method. The course leader, Dr Andrew Booth, has recently contributed to Cochrane and WHO guidance on mixed methods reviews and synthesis while Fiona Campbell has wide-ranging experience across methods and paradigms.
Who will benefit from this course?
- Quantitative or Qualitative Researchers who want to learn how to synthesise qualitative research
- Systematic Reviewers who want to learn how to integrate quantitative and qualitative data
- PhD Students in topic areas that explore complex social or health interventions
- New researchers who want an overview of evidence synthesis/systematic review alternatives and choices
- Quantitative and Qualitative systematic reviewers who want to update and extend their skills and knowledge
- Describe the main approaches to integrating quantitative and qualitative data within evidence synthesis in terms of their strengths and weaknesses
- Rehearse the stages of the systematic review process at which integration might occur
- Articulate different mechanisms by which quantitative and qualitative data might be synthesised
- Describe the requirements for presenting and disseminating mixed method synthesis data
2 day course: Tuesday, 3rd - Wednesday, 4th July 2018
Day 1 - Starts at 9:30am with Registration and refreshments, with a prompt course start at 10:00am. It is scheduled to close for the day at approximately 5pm. A course evening dinner for all delegates and staff will take place at approximately 7pm (there is no additional fee for this).
Day 2 - Starts at 9am and is scheduled to close for the day at 4pm.
£575 Early Bird Fee - For confirmed bookings received on or before midnight, Wednesday, 2nd May 2018
£675 Standard Fee - For confirmed bookings received on or after Thursday, 3rd May 2018.
Bookings will automatically close at midnight on Wednesday, 20th June 2018 or when the course reaches full capacity (whichever is soonest).
No formal experience is required, working knowledge of standard systematic review methods and/or quantitative or qualitative synthesis methods will be an advantage but not essential.
By the end of this programme participants will be able to:
Course materials will be provided via a Course Website approximately 2 weeks prior to the course start date, plus a copy on USB during registration. A hard copy of any handouts/exercises will be provided throughout the course as necessary.
The course will consist of a mixture of presentations, group work, discussions and individual exercises.
Participants are asked to provide their own laptop for the duration of the course.
Members of the Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group and Experienced ScHARR Staff.
Dr Andrew Booth, Reader in Evidence Based Information Practice and Director of Information, ScHARR, University of Sheffield and Course Leader of this and our ESQUIRE short course.
Fiona Campbell, Research Fellow, ScHARR, University of Sheffield.