Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Identification of all potentially relevant trials is a necessary step in producing unbiased systematic reviews. Handsearching, the process of manually screening peer-reviewed biomedical journals, conference proceedings and other publications for reports of trials is one method used to identify trials not previously reported or indexed. Trials identified through handsearching efforts are included in the Cochrane Collaboration’s CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, available through The Cochrane Library. Since 1994 the US Cochrane Center (USCC) has developed, revised and maintained paper-based and in-person handsearcher training materials. The goals of the web-based course are to reach a larger, international audience and decrease training costs.
Methods: The content of the original paper-based handsearcher training was updated in June 2002 as a first step in the conversion to a web-based format. The update included the addition of abstracts and full-text articles to provide participants the opportunity to practice identifying trials. The initial web-based course was a word-for-word conversion of the paper-based course. We released the beta-version of the web-based course in March 2003. We consulted an instructional designer to address pedagogy and a web-developer to implement appropriate methods to incorporate technology. In January 2005 we elicited feedback from beta testers and a focus group.
Results: Based on advice from expert consultants, participant evaluations, and a focus group, many enhancements were added, including improved navigation, inclusion of a component to track participant progress, and improvement of the design layout and navigation to appeal to various learning styles. The web-based course is currently available through WebCT at Brown University (Providence, RI), and eliminates the need and cost of a separate paper-based manual. The course is free of charge and can be accessed by contacting the USCC (www.cochrane.us/workshops.htm). Since March 2003, over 200 participants from more than 24 countries have enrolled in the course.
Conclusion: A free, web-based handsearcher course is available to train individuals to identify and classify reports of controlled trials.
Methods: The content of the original paper-based handsearcher training was updated in June 2002 as a first step in the conversion to a web-based format. The update included the addition of abstracts and full-text articles to provide participants the opportunity to practice identifying trials. The initial web-based course was a word-for-word conversion of the paper-based course. We released the beta-version of the web-based course in March 2003. We consulted an instructional designer to address pedagogy and a web-developer to implement appropriate methods to incorporate technology. In January 2005 we elicited feedback from beta testers and a focus group.
Results: Based on advice from expert consultants, participant evaluations, and a focus group, many enhancements were added, including improved navigation, inclusion of a component to track participant progress, and improvement of the design layout and navigation to appeal to various learning styles. The web-based course is currently available through WebCT at Brown University (Providence, RI), and eliminates the need and cost of a separate paper-based manual. The course is free of charge and can be accessed by contacting the USCC (www.cochrane.us/workshops.htm). Since March 2003, over 200 participants from more than 24 countries have enrolled in the course.
Conclusion: A free, web-based handsearcher course is available to train individuals to identify and classify reports of controlled trials.