ScHARR ONLINE course - Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

The aim of this popular and intensive course is to provide participants with an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis in health care.

Sessions will be delivered by ScHARR staff experienced in systematic review methods and health technology assessment. The course will be interactive and practical, with delivery of sessions based on lectures and individual and small group practical exercises.

When?

Monday 25th April (pm), Tuesday 26th April (am and pm), Tuesday 3rd May (am and pm) and Wednesday 4th May (pm). Specific times to be confirmed

The course comprises live online sessions, plus a series of short, self-directed exercises to be undertaken in addition to the live sessions.

Who will benefit from the course?

The course is suitable for researchers who require an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews in health care, and professionals who need to develop the ability to interpret and asses the quality of systematic reviews. The course is also suitable for:

• Clinicians wanting to undertake their own systematic review
• PhD students with a significant review component to their thesis
• Members of academic systematic review teams
• Pharmaceutical companies and consultancies requiring an understanding of review methods

No previous knowledge of systematic reviews or meta-analysis is assumed.

This course is relevant to anyone involved in systematic reviews. If you are specifically interested in qualitative evidence synthesis only, please see our ESQUIRE course.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• identify the key stages of the systematic review process
• define a review question and understand how to develop a review protocol
• describe methods for identifying sources of evidence for systematic reviews
• develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies for a specific review question and understand how to conduct a literature search
• apply inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies
• undertake critical appraisal of evidence using standardised quality checklists
• develop a data extraction form and extract relevant outcomes from reported studies
• select appropriate methods of evidence synthesis and be able to describe and summarise key results
• be familiar with statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data
• explore the use of meta-analysis in data synthesis using computer software (RevMan)
• understand potential sources of heterogeneity between included studies
• be familiar with good practice in reporting of systematic reviews
• critically appraise a systematic review.

Faculty

Professor Andrew Booth

                                                                                                                                                                             

Marrissa Martyn-St James

                

Other members of ScHARR staff to be confirmed

For more details and to book your place visit this page

ScHARR ONLINE COURSE - Scoping Reviews, Mapping Reviews and Evidence Gap Maps (NEW)

Demand for evidence synthesis to inform practice, policy and research agendas has grown exponentially over the last three decades. In response, systematic review methods have evolved to meet the increasingly diverse types of questions that systematic review methods are being used to address.

An evidence synthesis approach that has emerged and is increasingly being used are mapping review and evidence gap maps (EGMs). These are new tools, which complement existing approaches in the family of systematic methods of reviewing evidence. Typically, they seek to address a broader research question, where multiple types of intervention may be evaluated, such as preterm birth, epilepsy or intimate partner violence.

EGMs provide a visual overview of existing evidence, schematically representing the types of interventions evaluated and outcomes reported. EGMs also provide a useful tool for informing judgement and evidence-based decision-making in policy and practice by identifying ‘gaps’ where there is little or no evidence available and where future research should focus.

While mapping reviews and EGMs have developed and been used to support policymaking in international development, they have a broader applicability, which has seen them used more widely, with clear applicability to the health sector.

What does the course deliver?

This 1-day short course provides an introduction to mapping reviews and EGMs, outlines the gap-map methodology, and presents some examples.

Objectives

The purpose of this one-day short course is to introduce attendees to mapping reviews and EGMs, how they differ from other systematic reviews, examples of how they are used, methods, and how to produce an EGM.

Course content

The course will consist of a mixture of presentations and an interactive exercise, with an opportunity for participants to work on developing the framework for an EGM.

Faculty

Fiona Campbell is the course leader for this exciting 1-day short course.

Anthea Sutton

Dr Melanie Bond

For more information and to book your place, please visit this page.

ScHARR ONLINE Course - Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

The aim of this popular and intensive course is to provide participants with an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis in health care.

Sessions will be delivered by ScHARR staff experienced in systematic review methods and health technology assessment. The course will be interactive and practical, with delivery of sessions based on lectures and individual and small group practical exercises.

When?

Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd, Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th November 2021

The course comprises live online sessions, plus a series of short, self-directed exercises to be undertaken in addition to the live sessions.

Who will benefit from the course?

The course is suitable for researchers who require an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews in health care, and professionals who need to develop the ability to interpret and asses the quality of systematic reviews. The course is also suitable for:

• Clinicians wanting to undertake their own systematic review
• PhD students with a significant review component to their thesis
• Members of academic systematic review teams
• Pharmaceutical companies and consultancies requiring an understanding of review methods

No previous knowledge of systematic reviews or meta-analysis is assumed.

This course is relevant to anyone involved in systematic reviews. If you are specifically interested in qualitative evidence synthesis only, please see our ESQUIRE course.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• identify the key stages of the systematic review process
• define a review question and understand how to develop a review protocol
• describe methods for identifying sources of evidence for systematic reviews
• develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies for a specific review question and understand how to conduct a literature search
• apply inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies
• undertake critical appraisal of evidence using standardised quality checklists
• develop a data extraction form and extract relevant outcomes from reported studies
• select appropriate methods of evidence synthesis and be able to describe and summarise key results
• be familiar with statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data
• explore the use of meta-analysis in data synthesis using computer software (RevMan)
• understand potential sources of heterogeneity between included studies
• be familiar with good practice in reporting of systematic reviews
• critically appraise a systematic review.

Faculty

Dr Marrissa Martyn-St James, is the course leader for this popular short course

Dr Andrew Booth

Other members of ScHARR staff to be confirmed

For more details and to book your place visit this page

New Online course - Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis - Monday, 10th & Tuesday, 11th May AND Monday, 17th & Tuesday, 18th May 2021

ScHARR Online Course - Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

4 x half-days delivered over two weeks:
Monday, 10th & Tuesday, 11th May AND Monday, 17th & Tuesday, 18th May 2021

Book your place here https://onlineshop.shef.ac.uk/short-courses/faculty-of-medicine-dentistry-and-health/scharr-short-course-unit/scharr-systematic-reviews-and-metaanalysis

The aim of this popular and intensive course is to provide participants with an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis in health care

Sessions will be delivered by ScHARR staff experienced in systematic review methods and health technology assessment. The course will be interactive and practical, with delivery of sessions based on lectures and individual and small group practical exercises.

Who will benefit from the course?

The course is suitable for researchers who require an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews in health care, and professionals who need to develop the ability to interpret and assess the quality of systematic reviews. The course is also suitable for:
Clinicians wanting to undertake their own systematic review
PhD students with a significant review component to their thesis
Members of academic systematic review teams
Pharmaceutical companies and consultancies requiring an understanding of review methods

No previous knowledge of systematic reviews or meta-analysis is assumed.

This course is relevant to anyone involved in systematic reviews. If you are specifically interested in qualitative evidence synthesis only, please see our ESQUIRE course.

Learning outcomes

• By the end of this course participants should be able to:
• identify the key stages of the systematic review process
• define a review question and understand how to develop a review protocol
• describe methods for identifying sources of evidence for systematic reviews
• develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies for a specific review question and understand how to conduct a literature search
• apply inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies
• undertake critical appraisal of evidence using standardised quality checklists
• develop a data extraction form and extract relevant outcomes from reported studies
• select appropriate methods of evidence synthesis and be able to describe and summarise key results
• be familiar with statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data
• explore the use of meta-analysis in data synthesis using computer software (RevMan)
• understand potential sources of heterogeneity between included studies
• be familiar with good practice in reporting of systematic reviews
• critically appraise a systematic review.

Faculty
Marrissa Martyn-St James, is the course leader for this popular short course
Andrew Booth
Other members of ScHARR staff to be confirmed

Research Assistant job vacancy within HEDS (methodological research project to investigate human influences in systematic reviews)

We have a job opportunity for a Research Assistant who will join HEDS as part of a methodological research project to investigate human influences in systematic reviews.

Reference Number: UOS028039

Salary: Grade 6

Details: Part-time and fixed-term for 2 years

Closing Date: Wednesday 16 June

Image CC BY 2.0 GotCredit https://bit.ly/3tUI78k

This project, funded by the UK Medical Research Council, involves examination of evidence highlighting where systematic reviews are not being done well as this can cause misleading evidence to be published, misinforming clinical decisions and contributing to research waste. This methodological work is at the forefront of investigating research integrity with a view to improving the conduct and quality of medical research.

A link to the vacancy can be found at https://tinyurl.com/3vrjxsr3.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Lesley Uttley.

New Short Course - Systematic Approaches to Searching for Evidence - Wednesday 1st July 2020

Mark Clowes

We have a new and exciting course we'd like to share with you -  Systematic Approaches to Searching for Evidence

Overview: This highly interactive one-day course will cover the key principles of identifying published and unpublished evidence in a systematic, transparent way.

We will look at turning a research idea into a viable, structured search; scoping; choosing sources; developing effective strategies and documenting your searches, so they can be reproduced.

The course will draw on ScHARR’s 25 years of experience at the cutting edge of evidence synthesis, in addition to highlighting the latest available search tools and emerging techniques from the relevant method literature.

Who will benefit from this course? Anyone with an interest in conducting or supporting systematic reviews or similar evidence synthesis projects, especially:

• Early career researchers
• Postgraduate students
• Librarians and Information Specialists

Early bird booking for this course will close 1st May 2020

Standard booking will close 17th June 2020

Link to further course information:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/shortcourseunit/searching_for_evidence

Short Course - ScHARR Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis 3 day course: Tuesday, 28th - Thursday, 30th April 2020

Overview: The aim of this three day course is to provide participants with an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis in health care. Sessions will be delivered by ScHARR staff experienced in systematic review methods and health technology assessment. The course will be interactive and practical, with delivery of sessions based on lectures and individual and small group practical exercises.

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Identify the key stages of the systematic review process

• Define a review question and understand how to develop a review protocol

• Describe methods for identifying sources of evidence for systematic reviews

• Develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies for a specific review question and understand how to conduct a literature search

• Apply inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies

• Undertake critical appraisal of evidence using standardised quality checklists

• Develop a data extraction form and extract relevant outcomes from reported studies

• Select appropriate methods of evidence synthesis and be able to describe and summarise key results

• Be familiar with statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data

• Explore the use of meta-analysis in data synthesis using computer software

• Understand potential sources of heterogeneity between included studies

• Be familiar with good practice in reporting of systematic reviews

• Critically appraise a systematic review

Venue

Halifax Hall Hotel and Conference Centre.

Endcliffe Vale Rd, Sheffield, S10 3ER.

Tel:  +44 (0)114 222 8810

http://www.halifaxhall.co.uk/

Times

Day 2 - 9am - 5pm
Day 3 - 9am - 3pm

Fees

Day 1 - 9am - 5.30pm followed buy a course evening dinner at approximately 7pm (there is no addtional cost to attend)

£999 - Early Bird Rate for confirmed bookings received on or before 11pm on Friday, 28th February 2020.

£1099 - Standard Rate for confirmed bookings received on or before 11pm on Tuesday, 14th April 2020 or when the course reaches full capacity, whichever is soonest.

Early bird booking for this course will close 28th February 2020

Standard booking will close 14th April 2020

Link to further course information:https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/shortcourseunit/systematic_reviews_and_metaanalysis

Link to our Online Store, where all of our ScHARR short course bookings are initially processed:

http://onlineshop.shef.ac.uk/conferences-events/faculty-of-medicine-dentistry-and-health/school-of-health-and-related-research-scharr

New HEDS Paper - Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements

Health Information and
 Libraries Journal

HEDS colleagues, Anthea Sutton, Mark Clowes, Dr Louise Preston and Dr Andrew Booth have published a new review of search approaches for different types of review. Clowes said of the work: "The ever-expanding list of review types can be confusing for information specialists - how should we search for evidence? What sources do we need to include? In this article we categorise the major types of review into "families" with common features, and draw together the current available guidance in one place".

You can access the paper here: 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/hir.12276

Volume36, Issue3
September 2019
Pages 202-222

Abstract

Background and objectives

The last decade has witnessed increased recognition of the value of literature reviews for advancing understanding and decision making. This has been accompanied by an expansion in the range of methodological approaches and types of review. However, there remains uncertainty over definitions and search requirements beyond those for the ‘traditional’ systematic review. This study aims to characterise health related reviews by type and to provide recommendations on appropriate methods of information retrieval based on the available guidance.

Methods

A list of review types was generated from published typologies and categorised into ‘families’ based on their common features. Guidance on information retrieval for each review type was identified by searching pubmed, medline and Google Scholar, supplemented by scrutinising websites of review producing organisations.

Results

Forty‐eight review types were identified and categorised into seven families. Published guidance reveals increasing specification of methods for information retrieval; however, much of it remains generic with many review types lacking explicit requirements for the identification of evidence.

Conclusions

Defining review types and utilising appropriate search methods remain challenging. By familiarising themselves with a range of review methodologies and associated search methods, information specialists will be better equipped to select suitable approaches for future projects.

ScHARR Short 3 Day Course - Evidence Synthesis of Qualitative Research in Europe (ESQUIRE)

Evidence Synthesis of Qualitative Research in Europe (ESQUIRE)

3 Day Course: Tuesday, 10th - Thursday, 12th September 2019

Course Overview

The course will follow the systematic review process as it applies, and is adapted to, qualitative evidence synthesis. The Programme Faculty will take participants through the stages of defining and exploring scope, conducting the literature searches, quality assessing studies for inclusion, synthesising data and writing up and presenting the product of the synthesis. Participants will be provided with practical experience of key stages in the review process.

Who will benefit from this course?

No formal experience is required, working knowledge of standard systematic review methods or a background in qualitative research methods will be an advantage, but not essential.

• Qualitative Researchers who want to learn how to synthesise qualitative research
• Systematic Reviewers who want to learn how to translate synthesis methods to qualitative data
• PhD Students in topic areas that require substantive review of qualitative research
• New researchers who want to develop evidence synthesis/systematic review
• Qualitative systematic reviewers who want to update and extend their skills and knowledge

Course Materials

The course will consist of a mixture of presentations, group work, discussions and individual exercises.

Course Materials will be provided via a Delegate Course Website approximately 2 weeks prior to the course start date. Hard copies of exercises will be provided throughout the course. Hard copies of powerpoint presentations will not be provided, but these can be printed by delegates before the start of the course via the Delegate Course Website.

Participants are asked to provide their own laptop for the duration of the course, please contact us if you are unable to do so.

Course Faculty

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 popular course.

Dr Megan Wainwright, is a member of the core international CERQual team.

Fiona Campbell, Research Fellow, ScHARR, University of Sheffield.

Helen Buckley-Woods, Information Specialist, ScHARR, University of Sheffield.

Dr Katie Sworn, Research Associate, ScHARR, University of Sheffield.

Dates

3 day course: Tuesday, 10th - Thursday, 12th September 2019

Times

Day 1 - Starts at 10:00am with Registration and refreshments, with a prompt course start at 10:30am.  It is scheduled to close for the day at approximately 4pm. 

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 5pm.

Day 3 - Starts at 9am and is scheduled to close at 3pm.

Fees

£750 Early Bird Fee - For confirmed bookings received on or before 11pm on Monday, 10th June 2019.

£850 Standard Fee - For confirmed bookings received on or before Wednesday, 28th August 2019 or when the course reaches full capacity (which is often reached before the closing date, so early booking is recommended for this course.

We also offer a 20% discount for group bookings of 4 or more people on the same course. Please contact Karen Holden at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk to book. NB: This discount cannot be applied at checkout or after a booking has taken place.  ALL group bookings must be made directly with Karen Holden at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk.

This course is very popular and generally reaches full capacity before the closing date, so early booking is advised.

Booking and Payment

This course is now live on our Online Store, and we are currently taking bookings.

All of our short course bookings are initially processed through our Online Store. Payment in full/purchase order is required at the time of booking (Credit/Debit Card or PayPal is accepted). 

If your employer is paying your fees and they would prefer to be invoiced, please ensure you select this option when booking and that have your Purchase Order details before making your booking. Bookings are NOT confirmed until receipt of the Purchase Order is received at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk.

Bookings will automatically close at 11pm on Wednesday, 28th August 2019. 

This course is very popular and generally reaches full capacity before the closing date, so early booking is advised.

If you have any queries relating to fees and payment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Halifax Hall 

Accommodation and Meals

The course fee includes lunch and refreshments throughout this 3 day course, plus a Course Evening Dinner that takes place on the first evening of Tuesday, 10th September 2019.

No accommodation is included. We have a preferential rate of £70 per room/night at the host venue Halifax Hall for all of our delegates, details of how to book this are provided in your automated confirmation email.

Alternatively, we have our new Jonas Hotel, situated next to Halifax Hall, with a preferential rate of £50 per room/night.

For further details please contact Karen Holden at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)114 222 2968.

If you have any particular dietary or access requirements then please contact the Short Course Unit with your requirements at the time of booking.

Venue

Halifax Hall Hotel and Conference Centre,

Endcliffe Vale Road,

Sheffield.

S10 3ER.

www.halifaxhall.co.uk

Contact

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Short Course Unit via email at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk

or call +44 (0)114 222 2968.

How we find the tools for the Systematic Review Toolbox

Anthea Sutton

HEDS Information Resources Group Manager Anthea Sutton has written for the Systematic Review Toolbox about how tools are selected for the Toolbox.

You might have noticed we’ve added a few new things to the toolbox site recently to give our users a bit more information on how the toolbox works.  We’ve recently published our eligibility criteria for tools here, but how do we find potential candidates for inclusion in the first place?

Regular visitors, particularly those who follow @SRToolbox on Twitter, may know that we run a search on MEDLINE every month, with the aim to find any new tools, or new papers about existing tools.  The search strategy was developed from a mapping exercise we conducted in 2017.  We analysed the existing papers catalogued in the toolbox using the Yale MeSH Analyzer tool.  This identified 77 MeSH headings which were ranked in order of frequency.  The bibliographic data (including abstracts) of the analysed publications were then uploaded to VOSviewer and a density visualization map (See Figure 1) was generated to identify a network of frequently occurring and relevant free-text terms.

Figure 1: Part of the Density Visualization Map generated via VOSviewer showing the most frequently occurring terms in red.

The MEDLINE search strategy was then developed based on the findings of the mapping exercise.

But this is only part of the story.  We have found very little duplication across the different retrieval methods we use, therefore using a range of approaches seems to be best.  An analysis of the tools identified between January and September 2018 revealed that while the MEDLINE search is successful at identifying unique tools, engaging with the systematic review community via the toolbox website and social media found the most tools.  So, as we have always said, the toolbox needs you! If you see, hear about, or develop a tool, please add it to the site here to help us ensure the toolbox remains current, relevant and useful. And do feel free to contact us with any queries or suggestions.

This post originally appeared on the Systematic Reviews Toolbox website

http://systematicreviewtools.com/news/?p=98

HEDS contribute to new NIHR Signal - Ways of integrating care that better coordinate services may benefit patients

Anthea Sutton                     

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dissemination Centre has published an NIHR Signal on research conducted by HEDS colleagues Anthea Sutton and Andrew Booth in collaboration with fellow ScHARR Public Health colleagues Sue Baxter, Maxine Johnson, Duncan Chambers, Liddy Goyder. The study aimed to carry out a systematic review of international evidence to enhance understanding of the mechanisms whereby new models of service delivery have an impact on health care outcomes. The review found that there is stronger evidence that new models of integrated care may enhance patient satisfaction and perceived quality and increase access; however, the evidence regarding other outcomes is unclear. The study recommends factors to be considered during the implementation of new models.

Dr Andrew Booth                   

The NIHR Signal summarising the research can be found here, and the full research report is published in NIHR Journals Library here.

Citation: Baxter S, Johnson M, Chambers D et al. Understanding new models of integrated care in developed countries: a systematic review. Health Serv Deliv Res. 2018;6(29).
Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme (project number 15/77/10).

HEDS 3 Day Course - ScHARR Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Short Course

ScHARR Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Short Course

3 day course:  Tuesday, 26th - Thursday, 28th March 2019

Overview

The aim of this three day course is to provide participants with an introduction to methods for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis in health care. Sessions will be delivered by ScHARR staff experienced in systematic review methods and health technology assessment. The course will be interactive and practical, with delivery of sessions based on lectures and individual and small group practical exercises.

Book here

Who will benefit from this course?

The course is suitable for researchers who require an introduction to methods for conducting systematic 
reviews in health care, and professionals who need to develop the ability to interpret and asses the quality of systematic reviews. The course is also suitable for:

• Clinicians wanting to undertake their own systematic review
• PhD Students with a significant review component to their thesis
• Members of academic systematic review teams
• Pharmaceutical companies and consultancies requiring an understanding of review methods

No previous knowledge of systematic reviews or meta-analysis is assumed.

This course is relevant to anyone involved in systematic reviews. If you are specifically interested in qualitative evidence synthesis only, please see our ESQUIRE course for further details.

Location: Halifax Hall

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Identify the key stages of the systematic review process
• Define a review question and understand how to develop a review protocol
• Describe methods for identifying sources of evidence for systematic reviews
• Develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies for a specific review question and understand how to conduct a literature search
• Apply inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies
• Undertake critical appraisal of evidence using standardised quality checklists
• Develop a data extraction form and extract relevant outcomes from reported studies
• Select appropriate methods of evidence synthesis and be able to describe and summarise key results
• Be familiar with statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data
• Explore the use of meta-analysis in data synthesis using computer software
• Understand potential sources of heterogeneity between included studies
• Be familiar with good practice in reporting of systematic reviews
• Critically appraise a systematic review

Course Materials

Course Materials will be provided via a Delegate Course Website approximately 2 weeks prior to the course start date.  Hard copies of exercises will be provided throughout the course.  Hard copies of powerpoint presentations will not be generally provided, but these can be printed and downloaded by delegates before the start of the course via the Delegate Course Website if required.  A USB of all materials will be provided on the first day of the course during registration.

Delegates are asked to provide their own laptop to use for the duration of the course.  If this is not possible please contact us as soon as possible.

Faculty

Marrissa Martyn-St James, is the course leader for this popular ScHARR short course.

Andrew Booth

Plus other members of ScHARR staff to be confirmed.