Systematic Review
A candidate who has completed his or her qualification will have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge:
The candidate
- has advanced knowledge about planning to conduct a systematic review-study, involving both qualitative and quantitative studies in health science and practice.
- has thorough and specialized insights regarding each step of developing a protocol for performing a systematic review with meta-analysis or meta-synthesis.
- can effectively identify and analyze academical and clinical challenges that could be solved by a systematic review.
Skills:
The candidate
- can utilize and deal critically with various databases to perform a systematic review.
- can develop research questions suited for systematic review, plan search strategies, screen and select relevant studies, extract data, appraise critically, synthetize, interpret and report the findings.
General Competencies:
The candidate
- demonstrates an ability to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of systematic review, concerning the utilization of findings for further innovation within clinical practice.
- masters the language and terminology of systematic review.
- can communicate about academic issues, analyses, and conclusions within systematic review.
The course spans four days, comprising two gatherings (three days physical and one day digital), and includes various learning activities such as lectures, group discussions, along with individual and groups hands-on exercises.
The course includes project- and research-based learning, which helps the students develop practical skills by engaging in hands-on projects and real-world scenarios. Through project-based learning students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations, enhancing their understanding of systematic review methodologies as well as their ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews in the field of health science.
Students also benefit from one-to-one feedback in the seminars. Additionally, students are encouraged to engage in self-study and complete assigned tasks to enhance their understanding and application of course concepts. Following the course, participants have the option to submit their work to the instructor for further feedback.
During the first gathering, which spans three days, students will become acquainted with all the steps involved in conducting a systematic review. In the second gathering, which is a one-day digital session, students will provide preliminary study protocol for performing a systematic review with meta-analysis or meta-synthesis and will discuss in the meeting.
Compulsory attendance (OD):
The course requires 100 % attendance in the two compulsory seminars – both in the three-day physical meeting and in the digital meeting.
Assessment task (AK):
There are two assessment tasks,
Both the assessment tasks (AK1 and AK2) and the compulsory attendance must be approved before the final grade can be assessed.
First (AK1), students are tasked with writing a preliminary study protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis/meta-synthesis, based on the template provided, individual or in groups. They are allowed to choose a topic related to their future thesis or project. This preliminary protocol will be presented in a digital meeting. Ca 300 – 500 words.
Second (AK2), each student/group is required to conduct a peer assessment of a preliminary protocol for another student/group. Max 100 words. Following the presentation of the associated student/ group, the peer assessor must deliver their evaluation within 10 minutes.
At the end of each student/group and peer student/group presentation, the course leader, along with other students, will engage in a 10-minute discussion.
It should be noted that students will utilize the Canvas platform to submit both their protocol and peer assessments within the specified timeframe. The course mentor will be responsible for assigning students for peer assessment.
Final assessment:
Final assessment is a written assignment (OP), group or individual. (maximum 1000 words) Students can work with it from the beginning of the course.
Students are tasked with writing a study protocol for conducting a systematic review. This protocol should be an improved version of the one presented as a course assignment (AK1), incorporating feedback received during online discussions (AK2). It will be evaluated by internal and external examiner.
Assessment outcome: passed/not passed.