Objectives
- Gain Comprehensive Knowledge of Study Designs: Understand the concepts, strengths, and limitations of different study designs, including case reports and case series, case–control studies, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, clinical trials (randomized and non-randomized), action research and animal research, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, mapping reviews, and traditional narrative reviews. Acquire the ability to select the most appropriate study design for specific research questions.
- Apply Skills in a Real Meta-Analysis Project: Actively participate in the development and completion of a group meta-analysis. Work on formulating a research question, conducting systematic literature searches, screening studies, extracting data, and performing statistical analysis. Collaborate as a co-author on a publishable meta-analysis manuscript.
- Build Lifelong Research Competence: Acquire transferable skills that enable independent research in the future. Develop the ability to critically appraise published literature across all study designs. Cultivate confidence to design, analyze, and publish different kinds of research projects beyond meta-analysis.
Features
- Foundations of Meta-Analysis: Understanding systematic reviews vs. meta-analyses, identifying research questions suitable for meta-analysis, learning inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- Search Strategy & Data Extraction: Developing a structured literature search (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, etc.), screening studies systematically (PRISMA guidelines), extracting data reliably using standardized forms.
- Software Training (RevMan & Beyond): Hands-on training in Review Manager (RevMan) for running meta-analyses, introduction to other software tools (CMA, R packages, JASP), managing references with EndNote or Mendeley.
- Statistical Analysis in Meta-Analysis: Fixed-effect vs. random-effect models, calculating effect sizes (odds ratios, risk ratios, mean differences, standardized mean differences), heterogeneity assessment (Cochran’s Q, I² statistic).
- Graphical Representation of Results: Creating and interpreting Forest Plots, generating Bubble Plots, Funnel Plots, and Sensitivity Analyses, subgroup analysis and meta-regression techniques.
- Bias & Quality Assessment: Assessing risk of bias with Cochrane tools, evaluating publication bias (Egger’s test, funnel plot symmetry), GRADE approach for rating quality of evidence.
- Manuscript Preparation: Writing all sections of a meta-analysis manuscript (abstract, methods, results, discussion, conclusion), following PRISMA and MOOSE reporting guidelines, preparing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals (publication not guaranteed).
- Mentorship & Support: Multiple mentors guide students throughout the project, continuous support through WhatsApp, calls, and live Q&A sessions, combination of recorded lectures + live interactive classes, access to digital notes, e-books, exercises, and recorded video resources.
- Completion & Recognition: Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program, CIBNP Membership for 3 years, opportunity to build authorship on one meta-analysis project and collaborate on others.
Benefits
- High-Impact Research Training: Meta-analyses are highly valued in evidence-based medicine and can strengthen a residency applicant’s CV.
- Residency Application Enhancement: Completing a meta-analysis project may increase your chances of securing residency interviews and being considered for a match, since these projects demonstrate advanced research ability.
- First-Author & Collaborative Opportunities: Participants will have the chance to be first author on one project and to collaborate on additional manuscripts.
- Letter of Recommendation: Students receive an LOR based on their performance, which can support residency or fellowship applications.
- Practical Software Mastery: Hands-on use of RevMan, reference managers, and statistical tools prepares students for independent research.
- Full Research Cycle Experience: Students learn to conduct a meta-analysis from start to finish, including data extraction, statistical analysis, bias assessment, and manuscript writing.
- Flexible Learning: Combination of live classes, recorded videos, lecture notes, and supplementary digital resources.
- Continuous Mentorship & Support: Students never have to wait for the next class to ask questions, with direct mentor access via chat, calls, and live feedback.
- Recognition & Membership: Certificate of Completion plus 3 years of CIBNP membership, enhancing academic credibility.
- Networking & Future Collaboration: Join a supportive academic community, opening opportunities for ongoing collaborations even beyond the program.
Of course there are many other benefits that are associated with this course and its completion. You can now enroll and start the process of writing and publishing your Meta-Analysis and be a published author of a Meta-Analysis.