Approaches to Research Synthesis

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Professor Beth Grunfeld
• Assessment: a systematic review protocol worksheet (20%) and 2500-word mini systematic review (80%)

This module will introduce you to evidence synthesis methods, including protocol writing, literature searching, synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence, and meta-analysis. Upon completion of the module, you will have an understanding of evidence synthesis methods within health-related research. You will be required to write an abbreviated systematic review protocol and undertake a mini-systematic review.

This module is taught online only.

Indicative module syllabus

• Introduction to evidence synthesis
• Question setting
• Searching for evidence
• Screening, data extraction, risk of bias
• Narrative synthesis
• Systematic reviews
• Meta-analysis
• Qualitative evidence synthesis
• Reporting

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate awareness of the importance of evidence synthesis and in particular systematic reviews in applied health research and practice
• demonstrate understanding of key features of a systematic review
• formulate a review question and identify appropriate evidence synthesis methods
• identify methods to synthesise different forms of evidence, including qualitative and quantitative data.