October 2023 (Next December 2023)

In this issue

1) Applications for the Evidence Synthesis Units pilot are open.

2) New Cochrane-Campbell Handbook for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis chapters are now available online.

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

4) Meet Emma France and Katy Sutcliffe of the Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group.

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

Your top three highlights

Applications for the Evidence Synthesis Units pilot are open.

Cochrane invites current members to apply for the Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Unit pilot scheme. We aim that each Unit will act as a dedicated evidence development team, with the expertise to create high-quality evidence syntheses and ensure that users and stakeholders get the information they need when needed. More information about how to apply on the Future of Evidence Synthesis website (Deadline December 15 2023).

Supporting authors who plan to submit their protocol or review in 2024? Encourage them to switch on the focused review format now.

Cochrane has launched a more focused review format. This involves a shorter review article focused on your main findings with data and information that provide additional context or enhance your findings, included in a package of supplementary materials. Once you switch, you will need to make some changes to your review, such as checking internal links. Check out the recordings of our past webinars here.

New chapters of the Cochrane-Campbell Handbook for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis now available

The Cochrane-Campbell Handbook for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis is the official guide that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining systematic reviews of qualitative evidence for Cochrane. It is a step-by-step guide for those conducting systematic reviews of qualitative evidence and a reference for more experienced authors. Please consult three new chapters of this Handbook online via the Cochrane Training website: Chapter 4 (Developing and using Logic Models), Chapter 11 (Conducting a meta-ethnography) and Chapter 18 (Conducting a Qualitative Comparative Analysis).

Events and opportunities

Upcoming

● 25-28 October: EBHC International Conference 2023, in person in Sicily (Italy) and online. Open to all; fees apply.

● 9 November: Methods Support Unit web clinics: Dealing with rare events in Cochrane reviews. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● 14 November: Cochrane Rapid Reviews series: Literature search in rapid reviews (with Rapid Reviews Methods Group). Open to all; registration required.

● 15 November: Cochrane Learning Live webinar: Developing an effective ‘Overview of included studies and syntheses’ table. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● 20-24 November: Course Introduction to Cochrane Methodology in Lund (Sweden). Hosted by Lund University. Open to all; fees apply.

● 23 November: Webinar Large Language Models for health and evidence synthesis: can we trust what they say. Hosted by Evidence Synthesis Ireland. Open to all; registration required.

● 28 November: Workshop Writing a systematic review following Cochrane methods in Melbourne (Australia).Hosted by the Monash University. Open to all; fees apply.

● 7 December: Methods Support Unit web clinics: Dealing with rare events in Cochrane reviews. Open to Cochrane authors, editors and staff; registration required.

● 12 December: Cochrane Rapid Reviews series: Team considerations, study selection, risk of bias and data extraction in rapid reviews (with Rapid Reviews Methods Group). Open to all; 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 Equity evaluate an approach using automation and crowdsourcing to identify and classify randomised controlled trials in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

● Members of Equity and Bias discuss the role of replication in the systematic review setting in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

● Members of Rapid Reviews analyse publication proportions and results consistency of preprint articles in prevention research in Scientific Reports.

● Members of Prognosis evaluate propensity-weighted measures of discrimination to enhance the validation and interpretation of prediction model discrimination for a target population in Statistics in Medicine.

● Members of Statistics and Qualitative and Implementation examine the characteristics of population, intervention and outcomes groups and the extent to which they were completely reported for each synthesis in a sample of systematic reviews of interventions in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

● Members of Equity investigate the current use and underlying concepts used to define racial health equity in Systematic Reviews.

● Members of GRADEing provide updated guidance for rating up the certainty of evidence due to a dose-response gradient in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

● Members of IPD Meta-analysis evaluate current practice when estimating treatment-covariate interactions in IPD meta-analysis in Research Synthesis Methods.

● Members of Bias propose a new approach to evaluating loop inconsistency in network meta-analysis in Statistics in Medicine.

● Members of Statistics evaluate statistical methods used to meta-analyse results from interrupted time series studies in Research Synthesis Methods.

● Members of Comparing Multiple Interventions introduce novel data visualisation approaches for component network meta-analysis in BMC Medical Research Methodology.

● Members of Prognosis assess temporal recalibration to improve the calibration of risk prediction models in competing risk settings when there are trends in survival over time in Statistics in Medicine.

● Members of GRADEing and Rapid Reviews propose a new model for guideline development that delivers timely recommendations while ensuring trustworthiness and accountability in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.

Other news

● The Equity Methods Group invites you to provide feedback on how to improve reporting of health equity in observational studies (STROBE-Equity Extension) by filling in an online survey available until October 31 2023.

● WHO Bulletin's call for papers: WHO is planning a landmark issue of its journal, which will focus on innovative but feasible ways by which the WHO can further strengthen its normative leadership and guidance role. The Cochrane community is encouraged to submit a paper by March 1 2024. More details here.

Meet Emma France and Katy Sutcliffe of the Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group

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

The Qualitative & Implementation Methods Group aims to advise Cochrane and its network of people on policy and practice and qualitative evidence synthesis, develop and maintain methodological guidance, and provide training to those undertaking Cochrane reviews. The Group is led by convenors Jane Noyes (UK), Angela Harden (UK), Heather Ames (Norway), Andrew Booth (UK), Kate Flemming (UK), Emma France (UK), Ruth Garside (UK), Catherine Houghton (Ireland), Tomas Pantoja (Chile), Katy Sutcliffe (UK) and James Thomas (UK).

(At the left, Emma France)

What do you do outside of the Methods Group?

I am based at the University of Stirling, and I carry out research focusing on children, families and long-term health conditions to try to improve health, well-being and services. I also lead a Masters in Health Research programme.

What is your favourite thing about Cochrane?

Working with such a fantastic group of knowledgeable colleagues to advance methods.

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

If I could only take one thing then I’d take something practical like a knife. Otherwise, I’d probably take everything including the kitchen sink (which is a British saying for when you always take too much on holiday with you)!.

(At the right, Katy Sutcliffe)

What do you do outside of the Methods Group?

I am based at University College London (UCL), where I am an associate director of the EPPI Centre, and associate director of the London-York NIHR Policy Research Programme Reviews Facility, which undertakes reviews to inform policymaking at the Department of Health and Social Care England. I also teach Master's, PhD and short courses about review methods.

What is your favourite thing about Cochrane?

Connecting with fellow methods nerds via the QIMG and the colloquium is wonderful. I love the collaborative approach and the continual striving for better methods.

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

A wind-up radio so I could have music to feed my soul and news to keep me connected to the world. I would also need mosquito repellent!

Find out more about the Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group:

● Visit the Methods Group's website.

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

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