2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDR5160M Systematic Reviews of Research

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Gurdeep Sagoo
Email: G.S.Sagoo@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally, a degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, health care, health management, a science, a social science or in a profession allied to medicine.

Applications are encouraged from non-graduates with work experience in health research.

Normally attendance at modules:
MEDR3010 (Introducing Research)
MEDR5100M (Capturing Data for Research)
MEDR5110M (Handling Data in Research)
MEDR5110M (Analytic Research)
MEDR5130M (Intervention Research).

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Formulating appropriate questions for a review• Developing and conducting search strategies for a systematic review• Assessing study eligibility and quality• Extracting data from primary studies• Data synthesis in reviews: odds and risk ratios, fixed and random effects models ofmeta-analysis, study heterogeneity, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, funnel plots• Introduction to the Cochrane Collaboration and its software for review summary andmeta-analysis (Revman)• Critical appraisal of systematic review findingsImportant

Objectives

On completion of this module, participants should be able to:

- understand why systematic reviews are need
- formulate appropriate questions
- develop and conduct a systematic search strategy
- assess study eligibility and quality
- understand the principles of data extraction and extract some data
- understand the principles of data synthesis and undertake some such analysis
- interpret systematic review findings
- use Cochrane Collaboration software (Revman) for review summary and for meta-analysis.

Syllabus

The teaching style for this module will be active and participative. Where the module is taught entirely online we will replicate ‘group activities’ and students will be asked to complete online tasks and activities that mirror the pre-Covid19 teaching style. In a series of seminars with activities, and in computer practical classes, students will be introduced to the reasons why systematic reviews have become widely available and sought after by researchers and clinicians. They will learn how to form a question that can be reviewed, how to search systematically (building on earlier searching sessions in modules MEDR3010 and MEDR5130M), and how to assess studies for inclusion or exclusion.

Students will learn the principles of data synthesis - in particular the process of meta-analysis, with attention to fixed and random effects methods, heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis. Students will learn how to use a software application(s) that support preparing and maintaining systematic reviews.

Students will work through specially written workbooks in computer classes.

Students will also undertake the critical appraisal of relevant journal articles.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	2	1.50	3.00
Practical	4	3.00	12.00
Seminar	7	1.50	10.50
Private study hours			124.50
Total Contact hours			25.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

- 3 hours reading and writing up per lecture
- 5 hours reading and writing up per seminar
- 8 hours reading and writing up per practical class.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Completion of practical tasks during contact time. Where the module is taught entirely online this feedback will mirror the pre-Covid19 opportunities, taking the form of computer-based practical or worksheet completion followed by an online discussion forum. Furthermore, we will host teleconference drop-in surgeries during time allocated for completing the assignments.
- Completion of one formative essay question.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	2,000-3,000 protocol	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students will be provided with written guidance for the completion of this task. Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:22:53

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