Mixed Methods Systematic Review and Searching the Evidence Online Courses

Course overview

The mixed methods course is now fully booked but there are still a few spaces available in the Searching the Evidence Base Workshop. 

Please contact Denise if you would like to be on the waiting list for the next course.

Mixed methods systematic reviews combine qualitative and quantitative evidence to answer complex applied health and public health questions. These methods are becoming increasingly important as we seek to understand why interventions may have different results for different people in different situations. This course will explore the current thinking on approaches to mixed methods systematic reviews.

You can attend all eight sessions, or just the ‘Review’ course (five half-days) or the evidence search course (three sessions).

Conducting a Mixed Methods Systematic Review

Online course. Live sessions:

  • 13.30 - 14.30 (GMT) 8th March 2024 (optional introduction) 

  • 13.30 - 16.00 (GMT) on 12th, 14th, 18th & 20th March 2024 

Following this course (delivered in four half-day sessions) participants should have a strong understanding of:

  • The purpose and value of mixed-methods systematic reviews

  • Methods for synthesising qualitative and quantitative research including explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential, and convergent synthesis methods.

Searching the Evidence Base Workshop

Online course. Live sessions: 

  • 13.30 - 14.30 (GMT) 21st March 2024 (optional introduction)

  • 13.30 - 16.00 (GMT) on 25th & 27th March 2024 

This course, delivered over two half days, will develop:

  • A strong understanding of best practice search methods for mixed-methods reviews

  • Practical skills in search techniques, resource selection and managing reference records.

Online course format

The course materials and highly interactive live sessions will be delivered by software which will enable group discussions, break-out room discussion, quizzes and recording of sessions.

A brief introductory session will allow participants and presenters to introduce themselves and the course.

Participants will be given access to 1 to 1.5 hrs pre-recorded lectures that can be watched in their own time prior to each live session.

During the live interactive sessions, participants will complete hands-on activities and engage in discussion. The online sessions are spaced out in digestible chunks over several days.

Who the course is for?

This course is for you if you are interested in understanding how mixed-method synthesis provides a deeper understanding of complex interventions and their implementation. It is suitable for you if you already have an understanding of systematic review methods – i.e. you have had in-depth training and/or conducted a systematic review (either quantitative or qualitative) before.

The mixed methods course is not suitable for you if you are new to systematic reviews. It does not provide basic systematic review (screening, data extraction, quality assessment) or meta-analysis training.  The ‘review’ course focuses on advanced synthesis methods. 
 
The Searching the Evidence Base course has basic and advanced elements, some sessions are split, allowing those with less experience to practice core skills while the more experienced try advanced and emerging methods. 

Presenters

Dr Katy Sutcliffe is the Deputy Director of the Department of Health Reviews Facility at the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordination Centre (EPPI-Centre), Institute of Education, University College London. Katy specialises in developing methods for research synthesis, in particular for qualitative and mixed methods reviews.

Dr Meena KhatwaDr Gillian Stokes, Dr Preethy D'Souza and Dr Michelle Richardson from from UCL will facilitate group work with Katy. 

Judy Wright (University of Leeds) is a senior information specialist with expertise in finding evidence for mixed methods reviews. Judy leads the AUHE Evidence Synthesis team, supporting systematic reviews, economic models and realist syntheses.

Natalie King (University of Leeds) is an information specialist with expertise in finding evidence for systematic reviews, economic models 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 and colleagues have recently completed a NIHR-PHR funded mixed methods review with the Campbell Collaboration

Fees

You can attend all eight sessions, or the five ‘review’ course or the three ‘searching’ sessions.

8 sessions £700 full price, £500 for staff or students based at the University of Leeds. 

5 sessions £520 full price, £350 for staff or students based at the University of Leeds.

3 sessions £180 full price, £150 for staff or students based at the University of Leeds.

Further information 

To book your place please contact: Denise Womersley, d.l.womersley@leeds.ac.uk
Booking is on a first-come first-served basis. Bookings close 29th February 2024

2023 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.”