HTH RS M 743 / Systematic Review Methods

3 unit(s)

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor (HTH RS M 721, HTH RS M 702 and one-page outline of the topic).

This course about research synthesis focuses on comprehensive summaries of available research evidence. Rigorous review methods will be highlighted, such as searching for potentially relevant articles, selecting primary articles using explicit, reproducible criteria, appraisal of study architecture, quantitative data synthesis and interpretation. The course uses the framework provided by the GRADE Working Group for evaluating certainty of estimates and summarizing the evidence. The focus of the course is on issues of causation in the relation between exposures and outcomes, typically on randomized trials of therapeutic interventions. Other designs and topic areas are acceptable, but students considering these sorts of questions (diagnostic accuracy, prognosis) may face special challenges and should think carefully whether this is the right course for them.