About this course: We will introduce methods to perform systematic reviews and meta-analysis of clinical trials. We will cover how to formulate an answerable research question, define inclusion and exclusion criteria, search for the evidence, extract data, assess the risk of bias in clinical trials, and perform a meta-analysis. Upon successfully completing this course, participants will be able to: - Describe the steps in conducting a systematic review - Develop an answerable question using the “Participants Interventions Comparisons Outcomes” (PICO) framework - Describe the process used to collect and extract data from reports of clinical trials - Describe methods to critically assess the risk of bias of clinical trials - Describe and interpret the results of meta-analyses
Created by: Johns Hopkins University
Taught by: Tianjing Li, MD, MHS, PHD, Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Taught by: Kay Dickersin, PhD, Professor, Epidemiology
Bloomberg School of Public Health
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
To get the ball rolling, we'll take a broad overview of what to expect in this course and then introduce you to the high-level concepts of systematic review and meta-analysis and take a look at who produces and uses systematic reviews.
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Welcome to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Pre Course Survey
- Video: Lecture 1A : Introduction to Systematic Reviews
- Video: Lecture 1B: Introduction to Meta-Analysis
- Video: Lecture 1C: Producers and Users of Systematic Reviews
WEEK 2
Framing the Question
In this module, we will discuss how to frame a question, as well as scope, elements, and refining the question.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Lecture 2A: Resources for How to Frame Your Question
- Video: Lecture 2B: Deciding the Type and Scope of Your Question
- Video: Lecture 2C: Elements of the Question
- Video: Lecture 2D: Refining the Question
- Video: Lecture 2E: Some Examples
- Video: Lecture 2F: Analytic Frameworks
- Reading: Welcome to the first Peer Assignment!
Graded: Module 2
Graded: Peer Assessment 1
WEEK 3
Searching Principles and Bias Assessment
In this module we will look at finding the evidence, as well as key sources, search strategy, and assessing the risk of bias.
10 videos
- Video: Searching Principles and Assessing Bias
- Video: Lecture 3A: Finding the Evidence: Searching Principles
- Video: Lecture 3B: Identifying Key Sources and Techniques for Searching
- Video: Lecture 3C: Building a High-Quality Search Strategy
- Video: Lecture 3D: Documenting Your Search and Conclusions
- Video: Lecture 4A: Why Bias in the Individual Study is Important to a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Video: Lecture 4B: Selection Bias
- Video: Lecture 4C: Information Bias
- Video: Lecture 4D: Bias in the Analysis
- Video: Lecture 4E: Displaying Study "Quality" in Your Systematic Review
Graded: Module 3
Graded: Module 4
WEEK 4
Minimizing Metabias, Qualitative Synthesis, and Interpreting Results
In this module, we will cover minimizing metabias, selection bias, information bias, how to report transparently, qualitative synthesis, and interpreting results.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 5A: Standards for Systematic Reviews
- Video: Lecture 5B: Selection Bias
- Video: Lecture 5C: Information Bias
- Video: Lecture 5D: Bias in the Analysis
- Video: Lecture 5E: Reporting Transparently
- Video: Lecture 6A: Qualitative Synthesis and Interpreting Results Section A
- Video: Lecture 6B: What is Qualitative Synthesis
- Video: Lecture 6C: Some Examples
Graded: Module 5
Graded: Module 6
WEEK 5
Planning the Meta-Analysis and Statistical Methods
This module will cover the planning of your meat-analysis and the statistical methods for meta-analysis.
8 videos
- Video: Planning Meta-Analysis and Statistical Methods
- Video: Lecture 7A: Planning Your Meta-Analysis Section A
- Video: Lecture 7B: Introduction to Meta-Analysis
- Video: Lecture 7C: Why Do a Meta-Analysis?
- Video: Lecture 7D: Types of Data and Effect Measures
- Video: Lecture 8A: Fixed Effect Model
- Video: Lecture 8B: Random Effects Model
- Video: Lecture 8C: Random Effects Model
Graded: Module 7
Graded: Module 8
WEEK 6
Wrap Up and Final Peer Review Assignment
In this final module, we'll wrap up with a look back at the key concepts covered over the past few weeks. Afterwards, you will submit your final Peer Review Assignment and evaluate some of your classmates' submissions.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Lecture 9A: Wrap Up
- Reading: Welcome to Your Final Peer Review Assignment
- Video: Closing Remarks
Graded: Peer Review Assignment 2
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Johns Hopkins University
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Ratings and Reviews
This course is a great opportunity to get to know the field of systematic reviews and meta-analysis!
Great course, learned a lot from instructors. Highly recommend to those who are interested in learning more about systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Benchmark for an online short course. Excellent.
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As a Bloomberg School of Public Health student taking a certification in Epidemiology and currently conducting a systematic review for my field placement, this course helps me a lot in understanding systematic review.