Leeds Mixed Method Systematic Review Online Courses

Course overview

Mixed methods systematic reviews combine qualitative and quantitative evidence to tackle complex health and public health questions. These approaches are vital for understanding why interventions work differently for different people in different situations. 

Join our expert-led online courses to deepen your skills in mixed methods synthesis and evidence searching. 

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Course 1: Conducting a Mixed Methods Systematic Review 

What you'll gain: 

• A clear understanding of the purpose and value of mixed methods reviews. 
• Practical knowledge of a range of integration techniques for qualitative and quantitative research. 

Schedule: 

Optional Intro: 3rd March, 13:30–14:30  

Live Sessions: 5th – 18th 13:30–16:00 

Content Summary 

• How mixed methods synthesis can help with complex questions and policy relevant evidence. 
• Finding evidence for mixed method synthesis, developing a logic model, discovering types of integration. 
• Different approaches to integration, realist synthesis, diversity in approaches 
• What to compare and how? What to connect and how?  

 

Course 2: Searching the Evidence Base 

What you'll gain: 

• Knowledge of best practice search strategies for mixed methods reviews. 
• Hands-on experience with developing structured systematic searches, search filters, CLUSTER searching, grey literature, and managing large reference sets. 

Schedule: 

Optional Intro: 19th March, 13:30–14:30 

Live Sessions: 24th & 27th March, 13:30–16:00 

Content Summary 

• Designing a mixed-method review search strategy . 
• When to use study-type filters. 
• Seed papers for complex search strategy design. 
• Tools for choosing databases/resources and translating searches. 
• When and how to use supplementary search techniques. 
• Reference management software for large volumes of records and iterative search processes during a review. 

 

Course Format

• Pre-recorded lectures (1–1.5 hours) to watch before each live session. 
• Interactive live sessions with group work, breakout discussions, practical tasks, and recordings of sessions. 
• Literature search and EndNote instructional workbooks (course 2 only). 

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Who Should Attend?

Review Course: 

• Ideal for those with prior systematic review experience (quantitative or qualitative) i.e. had in-depth training and/or have conducted a systematic review.  
• Focuses on advanced synthesis methods, not basic review methods (screening & extraction). 
• For those interested in understanding how mixed-method synthesis provides a deeper understanding of complex interventions and their implementation. 

Searching Course:

• Suitable for all levels. Some sessions are tailored to both beginners and experienced searchers, providing core skill and optional advance skills development. 

 

Meet the Experts

 

Dr Katy Sutcliffe (UCL) Associate Director Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordination Centre (EPPI-Centre);Deputy Director NIHR London-York PRP Reviews Facility; and Co-convener of the Cochrane Qualitative & Implementation Methods Group. Katy specialises in developing methods for research synthesis, for qualitative and mixed methods reviews. 

UCL facilitators: Dr Meena Khatwa, Dr Gillian Stokes, Dr Preethy D'Souza & Dr Michelle Richardson  

 

Judy Wright (University of Leeds) Senior Information Specialist, leads the AUHE Evidence Synthesis team. Judy has expertise in information retrieval for systematic reviews and realist synthesis. 

 

Natalie King (University of Leeds) Information Specialist with expertise in finding evidence for systematic reviews, and mixed methods reviews including realist syntheses.   

 

Guest Speakers: 

Professor Joanne Greenhalgh (University of Leeds) is a social research methodologist applying realist methods to healthcare evaluation. Joanne has expertise in realist syntheses.  

 

Professor Helen Elsey (University of York) is a professor in global public health. Helen has published a NIHR-PHR funded mixed methods review with the Campbell Collaboration.

 

Fees

• Both Courses (8 sessions): £700 (General admission) / £500 (Leeds staff/students) 
• Review Course (5 sessions): £520 / £350 
• Searching Course (3 sessions): £180 / £150 

Book by 20^th February 2026 

To book: d.l.womersley@leeds.ac.uk  

For info: j.m.wright@leeds.ac.uk  

 

Online course testimonials

“Very good, very in-depth information outside of the live sessions and all of high quality.”

“The course exceeded my expectations. I found it more engaging than I expected. I think the fact that my group for activities all had a similar level of experience helped us to learn together”

“The activities were all very engaging and helped to reinforce the knowledge gained from the recorded lectures.” 

[Q and A sessions] “Interesting AND useful. The course presenters were so knowledgeable.”

“The presenters were very helpful and informative.”