|
Welcome to the Author Digest, April 2026 We hope you find it helpful. This digest goes out to all active Cochrane authors and will continue to be sent to authors who are opted in. Please review your communication preferences in your Cochrane Account and ensure you are opted in to communications.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contents 1. Call for papers on Collaborative Evidence Synthesis Methods
2. Register for a new webinar on artificial intelligence (AI) use in evidence synthesis hosted by Cochrane Heart, Stroke and Circulation
3. Get ready for the new word limits
4. What makes Cochrane’s new AI study innovative?
5. Join our webinar series on GRADE methodology
6. Methods Support Unit web clinic
7. Reminder: Upcoming deadline 1 July 2026 - Use of new random-effects methods for all new submissions
8. Covidence: Upcoming webinar and new blog
9. Top tips for Cochrane authors
|
|
|
|
|
1. Call for papers on Collaborative Evidence Synthesis Methods
|
|
|
|
|
2. Register for a new webinar on artificial intelligence (AI) use in evidence synthesis hosted by Cochrane Heart, Stroke and Circulation
|
|
|
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used in evidence synthesis. But how do we decide whether using an AI tool is appropriate, and what are the considerations for performance and responsibility? Presented by Ella Flemyng, James Thomas and Anna Noel Storr, this session will highlight expectations of evidence synthesists and users of AI tools. It will provide guidance on how to meet these expectations and introduce a framework on responsible handover of an AI tool to evidence synthesists (available in the Responsible use of AI in evidence SynthEsis (RAISE) recommendations and guidance). Register here.
|
|
|
|
|
3. Get ready for the new word limits
|
|
|
From 1 July, Cochrane will be introducing word limits for our reviews, updates, and protocols, to help keep our evidence focused, concise, and more accessible for readers. We are holding two webinars to support authors in writing more focused and concise reviews. -Catch up on the first webinar, which explores how tools within RevMan Web can aid in the planning and structuring of your review to manage scope.
-Register for the second webinar, which offers pragmatic, experience‑based guidance on preparing a Cochrane Review that is focused, readable, and fully compliant with MECIR standards without unnecessary length You can find out more about why we are introducing word limits and what you need to know here.
|
|
|
|
|
4. What makes Cochrane’s new AI study innovative?
|
|
|
Cochrane has released a pre-print of the protocol for our innovative study that will test whether artificial intelligence (AI) tools can support or enhance evidence synthesis. Take a look at this blog where Gerald Gartlehner from Cochrane Austria, Principal Investigator for the study, discusses how the study works, and what makes it interesting.
|
|
|
|
|
5. Join our webinar series on GRADE methodology
|
|
|
There's still time to join our eight-part webinar series designed to help you understand and apply the GRADE framework in evaluating the certainty of evidence in their systematic reviews. The first session is now available as a recording, and you can register to participate in the following sessions. Find out more and register here.
|
|
|
|
|
6. Methods Support Unit web clinic
|
|
|
The next MSU web clinic is open for sign-up. The May clinic focuses on QUADAS-3: an updated tool for assessing risk of bias in diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) reviews. Don’t forget - if you sign-up, you will automatically be sent a recording of the session afterwards. Introducing QUADAS-3: an updated tool for assessing risk of bias in diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) reviews: Thursday 14 May, 8am UTC (check time in your time zone)
|
|
|
|
|
7. Reminder: Upcoming deadline 1 July 2026 - Use of new random-effects methods for all new submissions
|
|
|
In January of 2025, following the recommendations of the Cochrane Statistical Methods Group, RevMan introduced a new set of statistical methods for use with the random-effects model in systematic reviews of interventions. Last July, all new protocols for reviews of interventions adopted these methods. This year, as of 1 July 2026, all new protocol, review, and update submissions should adopt the recommended methods in the synthesis of data when using the random-effects model. If you are planning a submission after this date and plan to use the random-effects model for your analyses, please be sure to check your methods section and analyses ahead of submission! To learn more about these methods and access further resources, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
8. Covidence: Upcoming webinar and new blog
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. Top tips for Cochrane Authors
|
|
|
|
|
|
Need collaborators for your Cochrane review? Post your task on Cochrane Engage! You can look for experienced co-authors, request translation of studies you need to include in your review, or find people with specific expertise. People completing your task will earn Cochrane Membership points!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
