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Our next Online course is running from 12th - 23rd May 2025

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The Introduction to Systematic Reviews and Critical Appraisal Course is an online course offering an in-depth introduction to systematic reviews and evidence synthesis methods. The course runs over ten days with around three hours of learning per day, and is delivered by experts from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York.

Based on research in health care topics, the course is suitable for people from any role or discipline with an interest in learning about the systematic review process, including health care professionals, students, researchers and decision or policy makers.

The course offers an interactive and engaging online experience, blending pre-recorded videos and learning materials, live workshops and group work. Clinics and ‘question & answer’ sessions throughout give attendees opportunities to talk about your research and learning needs directly with our experts.

Attendees are given access to a dedicated website to guide them through the course. This includes all learning materials, as well as forums for requesting support or sharing practice with fellow learners. All of the training materials, including recordings from live presentations and workshops, are available for you to continue your learning after the course is completed.

“I honestly have never attended a course that was so well prepared. The instructors were all very engaging and create a really good atmosphere and motivation needed for a quite intense course. I like that there was new instructors coming in and I was very impressed about how available everyone was to answer questions at all times. Well done!” 

Below you can find out more details about the content of the course and its intended audience. 

The course content and outline is available here CRD Course Outline (PDF , 283kb)

If you are interested in our future courses please register your interest 

For enquiries about the course please contact Susan Sutton on crd-training@york.ac.uk  

Course Outline

The 12-module online course takes place over eight half-days, with live workshops each day. 

Typically you should expect to dedicate at least 4 hours each day to complete the coursework, including live workshops, and homework consisting of reading and watching pre-recorded videos. There will also be a short orientation session (Module 0), which will run on Thursday 8th May 2025 for the next course.

The course outline with timings and commitments is available here CRD Course Outline (PDF , 283kb) 

 Please note that we reserve the right to change speakers/ course content at short notice. 


MODULE 0: Introduction and orientation 

An introduction to the course content, tutors and facilitators, information about technical requirements and where to get support throughout. This session will also be an opportunity to meet your fellow learners and share your expectations for and questions about the course. This module will be held on Thursday 8th May 2025.

MODULE 1: Developing the review question and protocols 

This module explores the development of an idea or research brief into a review question, and explains how the PICOS criteria supports a systematic approach to investigating a review question. You will also learn about the importance of systematic review protocols and how to write these, and about registering a protocol in PROSPERO.

MODULE 2: Literature searching 

This module covers the workflow of the searching process for a systematic review and the main aspects of planning a literature search. You will learn about sensitive search strategies, using Boolean operators and effective search terms, selecting the right databases for your project, and the importance of thinking beyond bibliographical databases.

MODULE 3: Study selection

The practicalities of study selection, including how PICOS criteria are used to produce objective and repeatable inclusion criteria for a systematic review.

MODULE 4: Data extraction 

This module will introduce you to the tools and techniques for data extraction, including an exercise to practice data extraction in your groups.

MODULE 5: Critical appraisal of included studies

This module introduces key concepts affecting the quality of primary studies and the reliability of results. You will learn about important biases that are commonly considered when critically appraising the quality of a study, and have a chance to apply your critical appraisal skills in group exercises

MODULE 6: Calculating treatment effects 

An introduction to estimating treatment effects from included studies, this module includes practical considerations.

MODULE 7: Meta-analysis 

This module will give a detailed introduction to meta-analysis, including looking at heterogeneity, addressing missing studies and publication bias. We will look briefly at narrative synthesis as an alternative to meta-analysis. An optional session will give an opportunity for hands-on experience using R statistical software or web-based meta-analysis apps.

MODULE 8: Reporting your review 

A brief module looking at reporting standards and associated checklists for systematic reviews. Reporting for different audiences will be covered in module 12 on knowledge mobilisation.

MODULE 9: GRADE 

This module looks at how the GRADE approach can be used to appraise the quality of evidence in a systematic review. You will learn about the main underlying concepts of GRADE, including risk of bias, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias. You will learn the principles of completing a GRADE profile through an interactive group session using a systematic review example.

MODULE 10: Critical appraisal of a systematic review 

The core content of the course concludes with an interactive session allowing you to use your critical appraisal skills to assess a published systematic review.

MODULE 11: An introduction to health economics 

This module will cover how systematic reviews can be planned to take account of the requirements of an economic model, including introducing the purpose and principles of economic decision modelling.  You will also learn about the process of searching, quality assessment, and synthesis of published economic evaluations.

MODULE 12: Knowledge mobilisation 

This module gives a rapid introduction to the key concepts of knowledge mobilisation and how you apply these throughout the review process, particularly in disseminating the results of a systematic review to different audiences and stakeholders.  There will be an opportunity to apply your skills in a practical exercise.

The course outline with timings and commitments will be available soon

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to change speakers/course content at short notice.

For administrative/booking enquiries, please contact Susan Sutton on crd-training@york.ac.uk