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PHPS40980

Academic Year 2024/2025

Introduction to Knowledge Synthesis, Systematic Reviews & Meta-analysis (PHPS40980)

Subject:
Public Health & Population Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Carla Perrotta
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course covers the rationale for systematic reviews, the different types of systematic reviews available and how to read and critically appraise published SR.

The lectures will provide a step-by-step guide to completing a systematic review and an overview of meta-analysis. Participants will acquire tools and skills to complete their literature reviews or KS projects.

Ultimately, this introductory module aims to help students understand how systematic reviews can inform new research and decision-making.

This course is suitable for students who have no prior experience conducting systematic reviews.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

- Recognize different forms of evidence synthesis and their applications and limitations.
- Critically appraise a systematic review
- Plan a search strategy for a systematic review project
.- Interpret basic features of meta-analysis
-Independently design a systematic review project

Indicative Module Content:

Evidence-based decision making.
Systematic reviews' basic structure
How to critically appraise a systematic review
Defining the scope of an SR (question)
Search strategy
The statistical basis of Meta-analysis
Data extraction form and data extraction process. How to extract data.
Basis of software used to conduct systematic reviews (revman and covidence)
Critically appraising a systematic review
Basis of GRADE framework

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Online Learning

6
Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is offered blended.

Students can follow the content in-person (Belfield campus, Thursdays 2-4) or online by joining and actively participating through the live streaming of the sessions (Thursdays 2-4) or by self-paced as the sessions will be recorded and uploaded with supplemental learning material.

Students are expected to engage with learning actively, and every week, they will engage in group and class discussions.
Systematic reviews adopt many forms depending on the discipline and research question, and we adjust the material every year to the professional backgrounds of students.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

The module is structured to understand the basics of knowledge synthesis approaches using students knowledge synthesis questions. or decision-making questions.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quizzes and participation in a discussion forum-and throughout the module. (pass/fail) Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

20

 No
Report(s): MPH/PhDs/MDs are required to complete an SR protocol + initial steps of a systematic review/literature review project
Flexible learners/micro-credentials- discuss with MC.		 Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

50

 Yes
Individual Project: Critical appraisal of a systematic review Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Midterm Assignment: Peer review feedback End of trimester presentation: Feedback after the presentation

Systematic Reviews to Answer Health Care Questions
Heidi D. Nelson
Available @UCD (on-line reading)
The Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 6.3, available though the UCD library) or at https://training.cochrane.org/handbook

Name Role
Latame Adoli Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Catherine Blake Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Mary Codd Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Niamh Merriman Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Dimuthu Rathnayake Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Karen Ryan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Carolyn Ingram Tutor
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