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Course Description

We live in times of evidence-based medicine, where the best available evidence is used to guide decisions about patient care and healthcare interventions at the population level. However, identifying this “best evidence” is often challenging. A single research question is frequently investigated multiple times by independent research teams, often yielding diverse or conflicting results. These inconsistencies make it difficult to draw clear conclusions.

Systematic reviews address this challenge by integrating and synthesizing findings from multiple independent studies to provide a comprehensive summary of the evidence. In doing so, they help inform clinical practice and policy decisions, while also identifying variability across studies that may generate new research questions.

This course introduces students to the core principles and methods of conducting a systematic literature review. Students will learn how to develop a focused research question, design a transparent and reproducible search strategy, apply structured screening and selection procedures, critically appraise study quality, and synthesize evidence using established approaches. Emphasis is placed on methodological rigor, clarity, and the deliberate, step-by-step nature of systematic review work.
 

 

Learner Outcomes

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Develop a focused, answerable research question suitable for a systematic review.
  2. Construct and execute a comprehensive, reproducible search strategy across multiple databases.
  3. Apply transparent and unbiased screening and selection methods to identify studies that meet predefined criteria.
  4. Critically appraise the methodological quality, rigor, and risk of bias of included studies using established evaluation frameworks.
  5. Synthesize findings using structured, evidence-based approaches to draw meaningful and defensible conclusions.

 

Microcredential(s):

This course applies toward the Bioinformatics Endeavor digital badge.

 

Prerequisites

Participants are encouraged to have a biomedical topic in mind on which they would like to conduct a systematic review.
 

Additional Information:

Who Should Attend?
This course targets researchers, clinicians and academics in the biomedical field who would like to summarize a body of evidence on a given topic so as to decide whether and how to make improvements, or simply want to be able to appraise and interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses given their significance as the gold standard in the hierarchy of evidence.

Format 
This is an interactive online workshop. 

Outline
In the first session of this multi-session workshop, we will start off with an introduction including types of reviews and the utility of systematic reviews. Once familiar with the basic concepts, participants will learn to develop research questions using a structured framework and establish eligibility criteria. Participants will have the opportunity to begin applying these steps.

In the second session, we will focus on developing and conducting systematic search strategies. Participants will learn how to perform literature searches and organize search results in preparation for screening. Participants will have the opportunity to practice each of these steps.

In the third session, we will focus on study selection and data handling. Participants will learn structured approaches to screening studies and identifying relevant evidence, followed by best practices for data extraction and organization. Participants will practice applying these steps.

In the fourth session, participants will bring together all prior steps to synthesize findings and interpret results. We will discuss best practices for summarizing evidence and communicating findings. We will wrap up with practicing the critical appraisal of published systematic reviews.

Credit
Although no grades are given for courses, each participant will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) based on the number of contact hours. One CEU is equal to ten contact hours. Upon completion of this course each participant will receive a certificate, showing completion of the workshop and 0.7 CEUs.

Refund Policy
Follow the link to review Workshop Refund Policy.

Notification
  • All cancellations must be received in writing via email to registrar@faes.org.
  • Cancellations received after 4:00 pm (ET) on business days or received on non-business days are time marked for the following business day.
  • All refund payments will be processed by the start of the initial workshop.
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To Register Click on "Add to Cart"

Section Title
Conducting a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Biomedical Research
Type
Online Synchronous
Days
T, Th
Time
6:00PM to 8:00PM ET
Dates
Sep 01, 2026 to Sep 10, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
8.0
Location
  • ONLINE
Total Cost (Includes $100 non-refundable technology fee per course when applicable)
Eligible Discounts Can Be Applied at Checkout $590.00
Potential Discount(s)
CEUs
0.7 CEUs
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