February 2024 (Next April 2024)

In this issue

1) Help us keep improving the New Focused Review Format. Participate in a 15-minute survey by February 29th 2024.

2) Cochrane announces new policy on AI-generated content.

3) Upcoming events and opportunities to get involved include online webinars and Methods Support web clinics.

4) Meet Dawn Craig of the Campbell & Cochrane Economics Methods Group.

5) New resources include papers from our Methods Groups and much more!

Your top three highlights

Help us keep improving the New Focused Review Format

We have introduced a new streamlined process in RevMan, simplifying reporting for authors and enhancing the impact of our published reviews worldwide. We want to ensure these changes are working effectively, are user-friendly, and are simple to use. We invite members across our Cochrane community to participate in a 15-minute survey before Feb 29. Complete the survey here.

Cochrane announces new policy on AI-generated content

Cochrane has introduced a new editorial policy addressing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating written content for its publications in response to the rapid emergence and adoption of AI writing tools. Our policy aligns with the guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the AI policy of our publisher, Wiley. Click here to learn more about this new policy.

Meet the Evidence Synthesis Unit Assessment Panel

Following our callout for applications to be one of Cochrane's first Evidence Synthesis Units, we are pleased to announce the members of the independent assessment panel. The panel has begun assessing the submissions, and the first new Units are expected to be announced in April 2024. Click here to learn more about the panel.

Events and opportunities

Upcoming

● February 15: Methods Support Unit web clinics: Introducing Cochrane's Focused Review Format template: an essential tool for authors. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● February 28: Cochrane Rapid Reviews series: How to do a rapid qualitative review (with Rapid Reviews Methods Group). Open to all; registration required.

● February 29: Evidence Synthesis Ireland webinar series: Cochrane Qualitative Methodological Limitations Tool (CAMELOT) (with Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group). Open to all; registration required.

● March 6: Cochrane Learning Live webinar: MAGIC and the Evidence Ecosystem. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● March 12: Cochrane Rapid Reviews series: How to do a rapid scoping review (with Rapid Reviews Methods Group). Open to all; registration required.

● March 21: Methods Support Unit web clinics: Component network meta-analysis: concepts and insights. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● March 21-22: In-person workshop: Assessing the risk of bias in studies evaluating the effects of interventions and of exposures, in Melbourne (Australia). Open to authors, editors and staff; course fee applies.

● April 8: In-person symposium: Danish EBM Network Symposium, in Copenhagen (Denmark). Open to authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● April 9: Cochrane Learning Live webinar: An Introduction to Cochrane Classmate: making Cochrane Crowd work for your students. Open to Cochrane trainers and staff; registration required.

Can you help with methods-related tasks? Browse Engage (formerly TaskExchange) for opportunities (tip! Filter by your specific skills). For more information on signing up and using the platform, see the instructions.

New resources

● Members of Rapid Reviews provide updated guidance on methods for conducting rapid reviews of effectiveness in the BMJ.

● Members of Economics introduce a protocol to assess the cost-effectiveness of targeted/selective newborn screening compared with universal screening for sickle cell disease in JBI Evidence Synthesis.

● Members of Co-Production introduce a protocol to develop the SPIRIT-Children and CONSORT-Children in Trials.

● Members of Prognosis discuss the evaluation of clinical prediction models in a new series published in the BMJ.

● Members of Rapid Reviews introduce three new papers of methodological guidance from the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

● Members of Comparing Multiple Interventions outline the continuing controversies about the network meta-analysis approach in Research Synthesis and Methods.

● Members of Statistics evaluate the proportion of clinical study reports that support medicine approvals available for public download in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

● Members of Statistics and Bias conduct a methodological review to compile a preliminary list of concepts related to bias in network meta-analysis in Systematic Reviews.

● Members of Comparing Multiple Interventions and Bias assessed the consistency in effect estimates between preprint and subsequent journal articles of COVID-19 randomized controlled trials in BMC Medical Research Methodology.

● Members of GRADEing conducted user-experience testing interviews of an evidence-to-decision framework for selecting essential medicines in PLOS Global Public Health.

● Members of Adverse Effects evaluate the proportion of registered clinical trials with published study protocols which do not publish their results in JAMA Network Open.

● Members of Bias, Equity, Qualitative and Implementation and Rapid Reviews investigate methods proposed for monitoring the implementation of evidence-based research in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

Meet Dawn Craig of the Campbell & Cochrane Economics Methods Group

1) What's the aim of the Methods Group, and who else is involved?

The Campbell & Cochrane Economics Methods Group was established to facilitate the inclusion of economic evidence into Cochrane and Campbell systematic reviews of interventions to enhance the usefulness of review findings as a component for decision-making. The Group is currently led by convenors Patricia Aluko (UK), Michael Drummond (UK), Eric Eisenstein (USA), Catherine Henderson (UK), Pia Johansson (Sweden), Denny John (India), David McDaid (UK), Pauline Sobiesuo (UK), Edward Wilson (UK) and myself. However, we are in the process of revamping our convenors group, as well as our wider membership, so watch this space and please contact us if you are interested in getting involved.

2) What do you do outside of the Methods Group?

I am based at Newcastle University, UK, where I lead the Evidence Synthesis Research Group and co-lead the Health Economics Group. I am also the Director of the NIHR Innovation Observatory, which delivers horizon scanning and early intelligence on health and care innovation using novel AI and evidence synthesis methods. Although starting in health economics, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work across a range of secondary research methods and continue to do so.

3) What's your favourite thing about Cochrane?

For me the network and opportunity for discussion/debate across the network is probably my favourite thing about Cochrane. Having been involved in the Economic Methods Group for 15+ years, the network often has a family feel to it – who doesn't love family!!!

4) If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you take and why?

Suncream or sun shelter – without which I would be burnt to a crisp within about 10 minutes. If I could have a second item, assuming there is fresh water, then I would take the latest Booker Prize longlist, which I hope would help me enjoy my time.

Find out more about the Campbell & Cochrane Economics Methods Group:

● Visit the Methods Group's website.

● Join by selecting the Methods Group in the Methods Network web form.

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