Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis: An Interactive Training Session
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis: An Interactive Training Session
The Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis Interactive Session was a comprehensive, hands-on training designed to demystify evidence synthesis and equip participants with the practical skills required to conduct high-quality, publishable systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Delivered as a live, interactive online session by the Centicini Team, the training attracted students, early-career researchers, and academics seeking structured guidance in evidence-based research.
The session provided a step-by-step walkthrough of the systematic review process, covering key stages such as framing research questions, understanding review types, protocol development, literature searching, screening, data extraction, and synthesis. Particular attention was given to meta-analysis concepts, including interpretation of pooled estimates, heterogeneity, and common analytical pitfalls, helping participants develop both conceptual clarity and practical confidence.
A core highlight of the training was the dedicated critical appraisal segment, where participants were guided through the systematic assessment of study quality, bias, and internal validity. This segment emphasized why critical appraisal is central to trustworthy evidence synthesis and demonstrated how appraisal tools inform interpretation, synthesis decisions, and overall certainty of evidence. Rather than treating appraisal as a checklist exercise, the session framed it as a methodological reasoning process essential for producing impactful and defensible reviews.
The interactive format encouraged real-time questions, discussion of misconceptions, and application to participants’ own research ideas, making the session both engaging and immediately useful. Overall, this training reinforced Centicini’s commitment to delivering structured, rigorous, and learner-centred systematic review education, while building participants’ capacity to contribute confidently to high-quality evidence-based research.