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Welcome to the June ME Support Digest! We have another bumper edition for you including the new process for author proposals, new protocol templates, distance learning course for UK authors, GRADEpro-RevMan integration update and a web clinic on writing results from a network meta-analysis. We hope you find it useful.
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Contents - New process for proposals from authors to conduct new Cochrane Reviews
- Update to CRG websites
- Protocol templates for intervention and DTA reviews
- Cochrane UK review author training
- Updates to GRADEpro-RevMan integration
- Methods Support unit web clinic on writing results from a network meta-analysis
- Future of evidence synthesis in Cochrane: Forum for the methods community
- REMINDER: CRG staff leaving
- New Head of Editorial in the Editorial Production and Methods department
- Farewell
- Job opportunity at Cochrane Work
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1. New process for proposals from authors to conduct new Cochrane Reviews
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As discussed at the Future of Evidence Synthesis webinar on Thursday 26th May (recording available here), one of the early changes in the programme of work is the management of proposals from authors to conduct new Cochrane reviews. From Friday 24 June, authors will submit proposals for new Cochrane Reviews to the central Editorial Manager site. Authors will include basic information about their proposed review in Editorial Manager: title, author names, review type, topic area, why it’s important to do the review, whether the proposed review overlaps with other published Cochrane content, and information about the size of the proposed review. Editors from the relevant Cochrane Review Group will then be invited to a discussion about the proposed review in Editorial Manager, and asked to consider if the topic is of importance and suitable for a Cochrane Review, and whether there is overlap with current content participate. Cochrane Review Groups may choose to pursue the proposed review further within their group (with either more detail being requested via a full review proposal form, or inviting authors to submit a protocol); for the Evidence Production and Methods Department (EPMD) to take forward the proposal by sending authors information about how to submit a protocol to the Central Editorial Service; or to reject the proposal. Decisions about whether to take the proposal forward within a CRG or by EPMD will be based largely on whether the CRG has sustained resourcing. Further information about this process is available from the recordings from the Editorial Manager demonstration sessions from Wednesday 15th June (recordings available here), and in Cochrane’s Editorial and Publishing Policy Resource. Review proposal forms Last year, Cochrane’s Methods Groups provided extensive feedback on the review proposal forms across all review types, ensuring that the proposal forms are up-to-date and consistent across review types where possible. The updated review proposal forms are now available here. With the changes in proposals as described above, not all CRGs will continue to use review proposal forms to assess proposals; however, for proposals being taken forward in EPMD, authors will be directed to the updated review proposal forms as a key resource to help plan their protocol. For CRGs who continue to use review proposal forms, instructions on how to request authors complete the review proposal form are available in the Editorial Manager Knowledge Base.
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2. Update to CRG websites
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To support the new process for authors proposing new Cochrane Reviews, please post the following text on your group website: Cochrane invites prospective authors to propose new Cochrane Reviews by submitting a proposal in Editorial Manager. Please see the Cochrane Library information for authors for further details.
Additional website text about the future of evidence synthesis (UK groups): A new chapter for Cochrane Cochrane has embarked on an important change programme to transform the way we produce high-quality, independent and timely evidence. The new model is designed to ensure Cochrane remains viable, sustainable, and focused on the greatest global health and care challenges now and into the future. As part of the new model we are implementing a Central Editorial Service to streamline the editorial process. At the same time, from March 2023, Cochrane Review Groups in the UK will no longer receive NIHR funding. If you are an author currently writing a protocol, review, or update, we are working to ensure a smooth transition with minimal impact on your work. We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to Cochrane [Group Name] and very much hope that you will continue to give your time and expertise to Cochrane. We encourage you to look out for further communications about Cochrane's plans for the future and new opportunities to get involved. You can stay connected by: Following Cochrane on your favourite social media platform Opting in to Cochrane email communications in your Cochrane Account
Additional website text about the future of evidence synthesis (non-UK groups): A new chapter for Cochrane Cochrane has embarked on an important change programme to transform the way we produce the high-quality, independent and timely evidence. The new model is designed to ensure Cochrane remains viable, sustainable, and focused on the greatest global health and care challenges now and into the future. As part of the new model we are implementing a Central Editorial Service to streamline the editorial process. We are very grateful to everyone who contributes their time and expertise to Cochrane [Group Name]. We encourage you to look out for further communications about Cochrane's plans for the future and new opportunities to get involved. You can stay connected by: Following Cochrane on your favourite social media platform Opting in to Cochrane email communications in your Cochrane Account Please update your website by Tuesday 5 July with the above information. If you would like help to update your website, please contact Cochrane Support. Further guidance relating to initiating review updates is available on request. Please contact Cochrane Support.
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3. Protocol templates for intervention and DTA reviews
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A protocol template for DTA reviews is now available. This is in addition to the existing protocol template for intervention reviews developed by the Methods Support Unit. You can open the intervention protocol template as a practice review in RevMan Web or download both templates as RM5 files from the Archie Knowledge Base to view the content. Why are the templates useful? If these protocol templates are listed as protocols in your Resources view in Archie, every new protocol created via Editorial Manager will open in RevMan with the template as the initial version. That would be helpful for authors in my group! Please contact support@cochrane.org to add either the intervention or DTA template to your Archie listing. If you already have protocol templates in Archie, remember that they must be named according to the recommended naming convention to be picked up for new protocols. You can make changes to your templates at any time. Open the intervention template in RMW > Edit > Submit current version. Open the DTA template in RM5 > Edit > Check in. Changes will show in any new protocols created via Editorial Manager after you have submitted/checked in the latest version. A protocol template for DTA reviews is now available. This is in addition to the existing protocol template for intervention reviews developed by the Methods Support Unit. You can open the intervention protocol template as a practice review in RevMan Web or download both templates as RM5 files from the Archie Knowledge Base to view the content. Why are the templates useful? If these protocol templates are listed as protocols in your Resources view in Archie, every new protocol created via Editorial Manager will open in RevMan with the template as the initial version. That would be helpful for authors in my group! Please contact support@cochrane.org to add either the intervention or DTA template to your Archie listing.If you already have protocol templates in Archie, remember that they must be named according to the recommended naming convention to be picked up for new protocols. You can make changes to your templates at any time. Open the intervention template in RMW > Edit > Submit current version. Open the DTA template in RM5 > Edit > Check in. Changes will show in any new protocols created via Editorial Manager after you have submitted/checked in the latest version.
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4. Cochrane UK review author training
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Cochrane UK is launching a free, distance learning course for Cochrane authors based in the UK or authors affiliated with UK-based Cochrane Review Groups. This course has been designed specifically for an online audience. It uses a range of interactive activities to support learning including discussion forums, lectures, tutorials, interactive learning modules, and online workshops and web clinics. It aims to support authors conducting Cochrane Reviews, in particular intervention reviews. In addition to learning more about Cochrane methods, authors will benefit from individualised support from a pool of facilitators.
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5. Updates to GRADEpro - RevMan integration
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You said: when I move between GRADEpro and RevMan Web, some of my edits to Summary of findings tables seem to be overwritten. How can I be sure my edits to SoF tables show correctly? We did: we worked with EvidencePrime to give you better control over how and when information syncs from RevMan to GRADEpro. Once a table is created, you can choose whether or not you wish to push changes from RevMan to GRADEpro. If you do want to update GRADEpro with changes from RevMan (e.g. after changing an analysis in RevMan), use new action Edit and update, available in the Action menu.
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Some parts of the SoF should now be edited in GRADEpro and will not be impacted when using Edit and update: - Table title
- Patient or population
- Setting
- Intervention
- Comparison
If you want to edit the table in GRADEpro without updating analysis data, use the Edit table button to navigate to the table in GRADEpro. Changes made in GRADEpro will be visible in RevMan Web. SoF tables created in GRADEpro, are only editable in GRADEpro. If you want guidance on using the integration, the Knowledge Base describes how it works in more detail. Please send any feedback or questions to support@cochrane.org.
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6. Methods Support unit web clinic on writing results from a network meta-analysis
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Join us on 14 July 2022 at our next Methods Support Unit web clinic where Kerry Dwan will talk about writing up results from a Network Meta-Analysis (NMA). REGISTER HERE Kerry leads the Methods Support Unit (MSU) in the Evidence, Production and Methods Directorate in Cochrane. She has a statistical background and has worked as a trial statistician and undertaken systematic reviews with Cochrane and the Liverpool Reviews and Implementation group. Her methodological work and PhD focussed on selective outcome reporting and has expanded to improving methods and reporting in trials and systematic reviews. She works part-time and is based in Liverpool, UK. This session is for any Cochrane authors, editors or staff. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from experts from across Cochrane and discuss their questions directly with the speakers, Methods Support Unit and others on the call. Each month, Cochrane’s Methods Support Unit invites Cochrane Review authors, editors and staff to a 60-minute web clinic to discuss their methodological questions during the production of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews. The first half of the session is dedicated to a specific topic which has been requested by the audience or identified through the work of the Methods Support Unit. An invited speaker will present on the issue and there will be time for questions and discussion. In the second half of the session, audience members can discuss specific methodological questions they have about their Cochrane Protocols and Reviews (please submit these to the Methods Support Unit is advance here). Depending on the queries submitted, representatives from Cochrane’s Methods Group may be invited. If you have any general questions about the clinics or would like to propose a topic, please contact us via support@cochrane.org. Please note: The sessions are recorded and shared via our website for those who can’t attend, meaning their contents will be stored in the public domain.
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7. Future of evidence synthesis in Cochrane: Forum for the methods community
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On 7 July there is a webinar dedicated to questions and feedback from the methods community. This includes statisticians, information specialists and other methodologists who work with Review Groups (as editors, advisors and peer reviewers) and Convenors of Methods Groups. We've tried to use Cochrane Account roles to inform those who may be interested, though many methods advisors and peer reviewers, and some methods editors, may not have specific roles on their Cochrane Accounts. Please share this information with anyone associated with your Review Group with methods roles. This is an open webinar so anyone with an interest in this area is welcome. We are collecting questions to address in the webinar via this webform and they can register here.
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8. REMINDER: CRG staff leaving
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A gentle reminder to alert Cochrane Support (support@cochrane.org) to any editorial staff that are leaving especially when it’s a Managing Editor or an Information Specialist. Support can advise on next steps. ME Support are also available if you need one-to-one support. Please contact Cochrane Support with the Subject heading: Request for ME Support.
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9. New Head of Editorial in the Editorial Production and Methods department
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Congratulations to Frances Kellie, who takes up the position of Head of Editorial from 27th June 2022. Frances has been the Managing Editor for Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth for many years now. We wish her all the best in her new position.
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This month and with heavy hearts we say goodbye to two of our longstanding MEs. Lindsey Elstub who has been with Incontinence and prior to that Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma leaves to manage an archaeological journal at Durham University. Emma Dennett who has been with Airways since time began takes on the role of Research Manager at Target Ovarian Cancer. We wish Lindsey and Emma success in their respective new posts. You both will be missed very much!
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11. Job opportunity at Cochrane Work
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We are looking for an experienced Managing Editor for the Cochrane Work group, on a part-time basis for 1-2 days a week for the coming year, to help us through a transition period towards becoming a Thematic Group. We will be managing about 20 active reviews in the coming year. The Managing Editor will be working in close collaboration with Jan Hoving (Co-ordinating Editor), our Cochrane Work team and editors, and Cochrane central. Although the editorial base is located at Amsterdam UMC, the work and communication can be done online. Please contact Jan Hoving (j.l.hoving@amsterdamumc.nl) for more information.
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If you have any questions about any of the above items, or about any aspect of your ME role, regardless of your location, please contact us at support@cochrane.org The Cochrane Managing Editor Support Team: Anupa Shah & Liz Dooley
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