Learning resources for researchers

Introduction to GRADE

This is a series of eight introductory slidecasts about using the GRADE approach to grade the evidence in systematic reviews and create a ‘Summary of findings’ (SoF) table. The slidecasts were prepared and narrated by Holger Schünemann and Nancy Santesso from the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (formerly "Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics"), McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. Registration to Cochrane is required


Introducing RoB 2

These videos, originally part of the RoB 2: Learning Live webinar series, introduce the RoB 2 tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. The presenters give an overview of the tool, including the five domains of bias and the use of ‘signalling questions’ within each domain. They also cover considerations when writing a protocol for a review that will use RoB 2. Registration to Cochrane is required


“Narrative synthesis” of quantitative effect data in Cochrane reviews: current issues and ways forward

These videos, originally part of the Cochrane Learning Live webinar series, are aimed at review authors and editors, and are about improving transparent reporting of synthesis without meta-analysis of effect sizes. In these videos, the presenters give an overview of current use of, and reasons for using narrative approaches to synthesis. They describe use of the term “narrative synthesis” and common issues in narrative synthesis including transparency in reporting and ambiguity about narrative synthesis as a method. They also provide an overview of how transparency can be improved and finish by introducing the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) reporting guideline, which is the focus of the second webinar. Registration to Cochrane is required


A research program on rapid reviews: where should we venture next? Webinar video

In four videos, originally part of the Cochrane Learning Live webinar series, Dr Andrea Tricco highlights the differences between rapid reviews and systematic reviews. Dr Tricco describes a research program on rapid reviews and outlines practical recommendations on doing rapid reviews, focusing on the Guide to Rapid Reviews, which was published by the Alliance, World Health Organization. Click here to find the videos from the webinar along with the accompanying slides to download [PDF]. 


Webinar videos: Undertaking a qualitative evidence synthesis to support decision-making in a Cochrane context

In these videos, originally part of the Cochrane Learning Live and GESI webinar series, Jane Noyes presented three qualitative evidence synthesis methods for discussion that were outlined in the New Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Guidance and published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology in December 2017.