Nottingham Systematic Review Course
Every year the University of Nottingham hosts the popular Nottingham Systematic Review Course.
The Nottingham Systematic Review Course will run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 June (inclusive) in 2025:
- Systematic Review Course: Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 June 2025
- Diagnostic Test Accuracy Course: Friday 13 June 2025
Application for CPD approval submitted to the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK.
Who should attend
All people wishing to undertake reviews of randomised studies and diagnostic test accuracy.
Course overview
The Nottingham Systematic Review Course is aimed at enabling participants to become proficient in developing and undertaking a Cochrane-style systematic review of interventions. As this is an introductory course, no previous knowledge of systematic reviewing is required.
The course utilises a combination of lectures, small group discussions, workshops and library-based interactive tutorials, with hands-on practical work at computer stations using Review Manager (RevMan) and reference management software. RevMan is the software used for preparing and maintaining Cochrane Reviews.
The Diagnostic Test Accuracy workshop is aimed at healthcare practitioners, health services researchers, methodologists, scientists and other researchers who wish to conduct or appraise systematic reviews and meta-analyses of DTA studies; or those who use DTA reviews for making clinical and policy decisions about diagnostic tests.
Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) summarise evidence from primary studies that evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic tests. This introductory course will provide an overview of the steps in conducting a DTA systematic review. The interactive course will be a combination of presentations, group work and computer exercises.
What makes us different?
This is a hands-on course with a high focus on practical and computer-based learning delivered through demonstrations, guided practical exercises and facilitated tutorials. All course materials are provided in electronic format.
Experienced tutors and facilitators, experts in their respective fields, are on hand to give you practical and individual advice on undertaking publishable systematic reviews. There is the opportunity to network.
No prior knowledge is required, though, to maximise your learning, we encourage you to consider the topic relevant to your review before attending the course. If you plan to participate in the Systematic Review Course, please reflect on your PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome). If you intend to join the Diagnostic Test Accuracy Course, consider PIT (Patient, Index test, Target condition), as there is the opportunity to discuss and develop components of your own protocol.
What will you learn?
Systematic Review Course learning outcomes
- Identify and clarify your review questions.
- Understand and develop search strategies.
- Manage the results of systematic searches.
- Extract data and assess the risk of bias of included studies.
- Understand and carry out the syntheses of data extracted and apply the methodology.
- Conduct reviews independently.
Diagnostic Test Accuracy Course learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of test accuracy and the different designs of DTA studies.
- Know the steps of a DTA review.
- Be familiar with risk of bias and applicability assessment of DTA studies.
- Understand the concepts underlying different approaches to meta-analysis of DTA studies.
- Perform different types of analyses in Review Manager and use output of meta-analyses.
- Describe summary estimates and interpret findings.
View speakers and facilitators
What previous delegates said about our course:
"This was an outstanding course which has increased my confidence in doing systematic reviews and has also taught me so much about research in general. The speakers were absolutely world class and were clearly so passionate about teaching this subject and making it accessible and enjoyable. I highly recommend the training and feel so inspired by everyone."
"One of the best courses I have ever attended. A vast amount of relevant and comprehensive information conveyed in an efficient and digestible way. Outstanding quality of presenters, organisation excellent and professional. All round top course, thank you."
"I don't think the course would have been as beneficial had it been delivered online. The face-to-face approach allowed one on one support during practical sessions as well as the ability to ask real time questions; both of these aspects would have been hindered by online delivery."
"The presenters were knowledgeable and engaging. The course was so well structured - enjoyed the format, the breaks, the ordering of sessions, recapping and ability to ask questions. I would love to attend future courses!"
"I have learnt a great deal. I have a much better understanding of what is involved in a systematic review now."
Course venue
The course takes place at the Trent Conference Centre, Unit 1, Easter Park, Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2PX.
Course fees
- Full price: Systematic Review (SR) course £1,085; Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DTA) course £275.
- Early bird 10% discount: SR course £975; DTA course £250 if booked before Tuesday 15 April 2025.
- A limited number of places are available to University of Nottingham postgraduate students, Academic Clinical Fellows and staff for the SR course at a 20% discount (£865).
The course fee includes all learning materials, refreshments and a daily lunch. In the interests of health and safety, we request that delegates bring their own laptop.
Online bookings are now open
Cancellation policy
Cancellations received at least six weeks prior to the course are entitled to a refund minus 20% administration fee of the cost of the booking. We regret that cancellations after this date cannot be refunded. Refunds cannot be made for failure to attend the event though a substitute delegate will be welcomed in your place at any time.
Get in touch
For general enquiries, please email MS-NSRC@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk
For course content enquiries, please e-mail Jun Xia at jun.xia@nottingham.edu.cn
The Centre for Evidence Based Hand Surgery (CEBHS) is a collaboration between the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, working with patients and the wider community of all those involved in hand surgery care.
The CEBHS core membership comprises clinicians, academics and researchers from Academic Orthopaedics,Trauma and Sports Medicine and the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU).