Developing a Protocol for a Systematic Review
Developing a Protocol for a Systematic Review is designed for review authors that have already identified a question of interest for systematic review and are either in the process of, or about to start, working on a protocol. We begin with a brief overview of the format of a protocol for a review. A mixture of presentations and small group activities gives participants the opportunity to develop and refine their own protocols. This workshop also covers constructing clinical questions, locating studies, appraising risk of bias and writing the methods section of a protocol.


Introduction to Analysis
Introduction to Analysis is designed for both new review authors (to help them complete the methods section of their protocol) and authors who may need help with the conversion of their protocol to a systematic review. We strongly recommend that new review authors intending to register for this workshop first attend the workshop ‘Developing a Protocol for a Systematic Review’.

Introduction to Analysis aims to help review authors identify different types of data, understand when it is appropriate to use data in a meta-analysis, and learn how to interpret the findings of a systematic review. The program is a mixture of presentations and practical sessions covering the following issues:

• introduction to meta-analysis
• summary statistics for binary and continuous data
• identifying and incorporating heterogeneity
• sensitivity and subgroup analyses
• publication bias

Complex Interventions in Cochrane Reviews
Complex interventions in Cochrane reviews is designed for individuals who are already familiar with systematic reviews. It aims to provide information and stimulate discussion about systematic reviews of complex health care interventions and relevant outcomes. Complex interventions include those which are multifaceted, difficult to define, and often hard to identify. We will explore interventions targeting both consumers/patients and health professionals. Topics addressed in the workshop include: defining a research question, searching for primary studies, selection criteria for relevant studies, systematic review methodology, appropriate data extraction, challenges with analysis, presentation of results, and writing the recommendation section. Please note this workshop is free to Cochrane members, affiliates and authors but will incur a cost of $250 (GST included) for all other participants.



Updating a Cochrane Systematic Review
Updating a Cochrane systematic review is designed for authors who are working on, or planning to start, an update of a published Cochrane systematic review. The workshop provides the opportunity for review authors to set aside dedicated time to work on their update with additional support provided by staff from the Australasian Cochrane Centre and local Cochrane entities.

In addition to participants working on updating a review, this workshop aims to:

• Provide information on the process of updating a Cochrane review
• Cover relevant issues on a one-to-one basis or in the form of didactic lectures depending on the needs of each individual or the group as a whole
• Help participants devise an action plan for completing the updated review

A prerequisite for attendance in this workshop is publication of a systematic review on The Cochrane Library (or permission to update another author’s review).



Introduction to new Cochrane Handbook Methods and RevMan 5
Introduction to new Cochrane Handbook methods and RevMan 5 is a “What’s New in Cochrane?” workshop designed for authors of a published Cochrane systematic review. This one-day workshop aims to bring review authors up-to-date with the changes and new methodologies published in the latest version of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Topics include the new method of assessing risk of bias, summary of findings tables, new statistical methods and an introduction to RevMan 5 (and the IMS server). This event is an excellent opportunity for participants to refresh and update their knowledge and skills and is sure to assist those about to update their review or embark upon a new one.

A prerequisite for attendance in this workshop is publication of a systematic review on The Cochrane Library.

Cochrane Review Completion and Update Program
The Cochrane review completion and update program is designed to provide dedicated time and support to review authors who are struggling to find the time to complete or update their Cochrane systematic review in a timely manner. Run over five days at the Australasian Cochrane Centre in Melbourne, the course involves targeted lectures, discussion and support in all aspects of writing a review, including:

• literature searching and reporting
• data extraction
• using RevMan to enter data and complete tables
• statistical analysis
• discussion
• editing

Our aim is that by the end of the week, reviews will be ready to submit to the relevant review group. A prerequisite for attendance in the program is publication of a protocol on The Cochrane Library.


Cochrane Perinatal Work-in
Cochrane review authors working on perinatal topics are invited to attend the Work-in to progress work on their protocols and reviews with the help of experienced reviewers. The work-in will be held at La Trobe University City Campus. It is requested that participants bring their laptops (charged) if possible.


Please contact Veronica Pitt or Donna Duyvestyn if you have any queries.