Using MECIR standards in the conduct of systematic reviews with emphasis on associated Common Errors—Part 2

Article type
Authors
Trivella M1, Beller E2, Lasserson T3, Cates C4, Chandler J5
1Cochrane Collaboration, United Kingdom
2Bond University, Australia
3Cochrane Editorial Unit, United Kingdom
4Cochrane Airways Group
5CEU
Abstract
Objectives:

To gain insight on common statistical and methodological errors encountered in Cochrane Reviews and associated MECIR standards affected by them.

Description:

This workshop is part II to a companion MECIR workshop and will focus on the conduct standards and associated common errors through a combination of short presentations and activities. It will aim to concentrate on more advanced methodological and statistical topics, particularly inappropriate analysis, non-standard trial designs, and problems caused by multiplicity of data.. Starting with a brief background presentation of a selected number of MECIR standards pertaining to the statistical/methodological section of a review, a number of associated common error topics will be identified. This workshop will be built around an ‘Activities’ booklet distributed to participants, organised by ‘MECIR standard and error’ topic. The basics of each identified error-topic will first be presented briefly, and then participants will be asked to work through the ‘Activities’ booklet, in small groups of 3 people, in order to identify the error and the underlying problem. This will be followed by a brief discussion (facilitated by the presenters), around the ‘problems’ how to spot them, how they affect the quality of a review and how to avoid them in future work.