How and why to undertake a systematic review (in person)
Sally Hopewell
Monday, 01 December 2025, 2pm to 4.30pm
Botnar G54/G38
How and why to undertake a systemic review
This course is for MSD researchers and covers the principles of performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.
COURSE AIM
This interactive session for MSD DPhil students and early career researchers outlines the key principles of how to perform a systematic review and the basic principles of meta-analysis. It will provide a basic introduction to systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
COURSE CONTENT
The course will cover the following:
- What is a systematic review and why do we need them?
- Overview of the process of conducting a systematic review
- Understanding the basic principles of how to develop a systematic review protocol
- What is a meta-analysis?
- Understanding the basic principles of how the results are displayed and interpreted.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Find out what a systematic review is and why they are needed
- Learn about the process of conducting a systematic review
- Understand the basic principles of how to develop a systematic review protocol
- Learn about meta-analysis
- Understand the basic principles of how results are displayed and interpreted
IN PERSON - Botnar G54/G38
Please note this is not an OCTRU session - for more details and to book a place on the session click here
External Training
These links lead to a variety of clinical research related resources, training opportunities and conferences offered by external organisations – OCTRU does not necessarily endorse the links – this is offered only as a resource for individuals to use when looking for wider opportunities.
Note: We endeavour to keep this page up to date, however if a link is broken please can you let the admin team know on octrutrialshub@ndorms.ox.ac.uk
Training Opportunities
Training provided in Clinical Trials by the University of Oxford (Oxford SSO required)
Research Integrity: Core introductory course
Research Integrity: Refresher course for more experienced researchers
Research Integrity: Trusted Research & Export Controls
Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team (RGEA) (Oxford SSO required)
UKCRC Registered Clinical Trial Units
Monitoring of clinical trials - Online Training Modules
Resources about Human Tissue Act
Resources about Public Engagement
Health Research Authority (HRA)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) including NIHR Learn
Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)
NIHR Research Delivery Network
This team have regular emails with links to training opportunities offered by themselves and other – follow this LINK for more information.
NIHR Learning for Involvement - training and resources dedicated to learning and development for public involvement in health and social care research
NIHR Associate Principal Investigator Scheme Resources Site
E-Learning
Training offered on Good Research Practice, including GDPR, Human Tissue legislation, IRAS - follow this LINK
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR Learn)
Online training courses for those working on trials, including those with an ac.uk email address. Courses include Introduction to GCP and refresher GCP training, diversity and inclusion training, and more - follow this LINK
NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
The video library on the NIHR Oxford BRC website includes a variety of talks, including those from the series of lunchtime seminars carrried out by the Statistics Hub - watch them here
The Global Health Network
Conferences
Biannual conference for researchers and practitioners to present the very latest in trials methodology research
Society for Clinical Trials (US organisation)
Annual conference in the US for those working in trials