Systematic Reviews

Course status:

Applications being accepted

Location:

Number 11, Conference Room, Rewley HouseOxford, OX1 2JA

Dates:

26/04/2027 - 30/04/2027

Study format:

Short intensive

Fees:

From £2,905.00 to £3,825.00

Solving the problems of your own systematic review with peers This module will take students through the process of doing a systematic review. It will focus on the practicalities, and build on the introductory modules. The module will use a problem-based learning approach in which each participant brings a specific topic for a systematic review to discuss, justify and revise during the module. It will stress the importance of choosing the correct study design to answer the question posed by the systematic review and will, therefore, not be restricted to systematic reviews of randomized trials. This module is relevant both to people who will conduct systematic reviews and to those who will use knowledge from the ever-increasing number of systematic reviews being done by others. It does this by providing participants with a thorough understanding of the systematic reviews process, and how decisions made during the systematic review may have influenced its quality and relevance. Last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Thursday 01st April 2027. Places for this module are strictly limited so we would recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted. This course will take the participants through the process of doing a systematic review and will focus on the practicalities rather than the theory. The overall aims of this module are to enable students to;

Formulate a clear question for a systematic review and understand their key motivations for doing the review
Specify the eligibility criteria for a systematic review
Develop a search strategy for a systematic review
Prepare a quality appraisal and data extraction form for a systematic review
Identify, describe and discuss sources of heterogeneity among the studies in a systematic review
Develop a statistical analysis plan for a systematic review
Conduct, report and update a systematic review
Use this knowledge to assess the quality of systematic reviews done by others

The course will cover the following topics:

Formulating the question for your systematic review
Determining the eligibility criteria
Study identification
Data extraction
Assessing study quality
Statistical analyses
Heterogeneity, subgroup and sensitivity analyses
Reporting and updating of systematic reviews
Where to get help in the future

This module gives an overview of systematic review methods that can be applied to a range of different review types, including providing a brief overview of meta-analysis. We also have the following courses, which provide more depth and detail on specific methodological issues associated with particular review types:

Meta-Analysis
Qualitative & Mixed Methods Systematic Reviews
Realist Reviews & Realist Evaluation
Complex Reviews

Comments from previous participants: "Excellent style of teaching, which is engaging and interactive and incorporates individuals' systematic reviews, through discussion, detailed explanation and thoughtful interactions."

Apply for this course

Continue your application using the button below.

Apply now

download a brochure

Selection criteria

To apply for the course you should:

Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
Have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
Identify a work based problem for which you will be seeking evidence
Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of evidence-based health care within the work place
Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer’s commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend course and university events and modules
Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme. Accommodation is not included in the course fee.

IT requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.

Programme details

This module is run over an eight week cycle where the first week is spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment, the second week is spent in Oxford for the face to face teaching week (this takes place on the dates advertised), you then have five weeks of personal study and you will be required to submit your assignment electronically the following week (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).

Click on the drop down arrow in the blue box above to see other runs of the course, some of which are fully online.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of two written assignments which should each not exceed 2,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification. If you wish to discuss this possibility, please ensure you contact the Programme team at cpdheath@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to applying for the course.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact cpdhealth@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Nicola Lindson – Module Co-ordinator

Dr Nicola Lindson is an Associate Professor in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford.

Fees

Description	Costs
Module fee for 26/27 starters	£2905.00
Short Course in Health Sciences	£3825.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Discounts

If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.