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Study information

Systematic Reviews for Policy and Practice

Module titleSystematic Reviews for Policy and Practice
Module codeHPDM093
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Noreen Orr (Convenor)

Ms Rebecca Whear (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

5

Module description

Undertaking this module will provide you with the skills you need to plan and conduct systematic reviews and other types of evidence synthesis. Topics covered will include question formulation, forming a team and the importance of end-user involvement, protocols and reporting standards, searching, study selection, data extraction, critical appraisal, synthesis to include simple meta-analysis, qualitative synthesis and mixed methods synthesis, other review methods e.g. realist reviews, scoping reviews and evidence maps and overviews of review dissemination and creative communication.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will examine how to frame and identify uncertainties in clinical practice, identify which review method is most appropriate for a review question and type of evidence and develop demonstrable competencies in all the necessary steps of systematic reviews/evidence syntheses. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Formulate focused questions that are applicable directly to evidence-based practice
  • 2. Systematically identify, select, appraise and synthesise evidence to address focused research questions and demonstrate competency in planning, organisation and interpretation through to communication of outcomes to a wide range of relevant audiences

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Understand the importance of collecting, appraising and synthesising evidence on a given topic before undertaking further primary research
  • 4. Critically analyse the quality and relevance of research findings and determine ways in which they contribute to the effectiveness, quality, safety and successful implementation of healthcare

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Manage time effectively to ensure capacity for independent study
  • 6. Undertake study skills and writing at masters level

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows: 

Understanding the importance of evidence synthesis

Question formulation

Forming a team – end-user involvement

Protocols and reporting

Searching

Study selection

Data extraction

Critical Appraisal

Synthesis to include simple meta-analysis, qualitative synthesis, mixed methods

Other review methods – realist / scoping / overviews

Dissemination and creative communication

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
28.5121.50

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities18Sixteen seminar-style lectures to enhance learning through introduction to key topics, specialist areas and contemporary debates. Please note: Face-to-face scheduled lectures may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos for each topic (15-20 minutes) and/or brief overview lectures delivered via MS Teams/Zoom, with learning consolidated by online learning activities and exercises.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities10 hrs 30 minsGroup discussions, practical exercises and workshops to foster critical thinking and academic/research skills development with opportunities for peer and tutor feedback. Please note: Small-group discussions may be replaced by synchronous group discussion on Teams/ Zoom; or asynchronous online discussion, for example via Yammer or ELE Discussion board; Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum; Skills workshops involving practical skills acquisition demonstrations may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos as pre-learning; or workshop via Teams/Zoom.
Guided independent study77 hrs 30 mins Web-based learning; resource gathering and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery.
Guided independent study44Preparation and writing of assignments

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Small group workVarious and ongoing1-6Oral or online forum
Practical exercisesVarious and ongoing1-6Oral or ELE activities
Case-based discussionsVarious and ongoing1-5Oral or online forum

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
80020

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Coursework essay803000 words (maximum)1-6Written
Presentation. Please note: Small-group discussions may be replaced by synchronous group discussion on Teams/ Zoom; or asynchronous online discussion, for example via Yammer or ELE Discussion board; Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum; Skills workshops involving practical skills acquisition demonstrations may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos as pre-learning; or workshop via Teams/Zoom.2010 mins (including Q&A)1-6Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Coursework essay (80%)Coursework essay (3000 words)1-6Typically within six weeks of the result
Presentation (20%)Slides submitted for marking (10 mins)1-6Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (2008). Systematic Reviews: CRD’s guidance for undertaking reviews in health care. University of  York, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination 

Higgins JPT, Green S (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 [updated March 2011]. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from www.cochrane-handbook.org

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

A full list of recommended resources will be available of the University of Exeter’s electronic learning environment (ELE, http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/systems/ele/)

Key words search

Applied health, service, research, evidence synthesis

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Last revision date

08/08/2023