Module 1: Foundations of Literature Review and Research Questions

• The hierarchy of evidence and the role of synthesis in knowledge translation
• Differentiating between traditional narrative, systematic, scoping, and rapid reviews
• Key methodological steps required for a transparent and reproducible review process
• Techniques for formulating focused and answerable research questions (e.g., PICO, PECO)
• Developing the initial research protocol and registration (e.g., PROSPERO)

Practical session: Formulating a testable PICO question and outlining the key components of a review protocol.

Module 2: Developing Comprehensive Search Strategies

• Principles of Boolean operators and proximity searching
• Using truncation, wildcards, and phrase searching effectively
• Identifying controlled vocabulary and indexing terms (e.g., Medical Subject Headings - MeSH)
• Strategies for combining keywords, controlled vocabulary, and filtering limits
• The concept of Search Saturation and peer review of search strings

Practical session: Constructing a highly sensitive and specific search string using keywords and Boolean logic for a defined research question.

Module 3: Database Selection and Search Execution

• Selecting the appropriate core bibliographic databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed)
• Strategies for searching Gray Literature (dissertations, government reports, conference abstracts)
• Documenting the complete search process: recording dates, platforms, and result counts
• Techniques for reference management and exporting results from multiple sources
• Hand-searching and citation chasing (snowballing) to ensure comprehensiveness

Practical session: Executing a complete search strategy in two different databases and successfully exporting the results into a single file format.

Module 4: Reference Management and Screening Tools

• Choosing and utilizing reference management software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley) for organization
• Systematic removal of duplicate records from merged search results
• Introduction to dedicated screening software (e.g., Rayyan, Covidence)
• Phase 1 screening: Title and Abstract review protocols and consensus checking
• Phase 2 screening: Full-text retrieval logistics and documentation of exclusion reasons

Practical session: Importing a combined search result file into a screening tool and completing Phase 1 screening on a sample of records.

Module 5: Critical Appraisal and Risk of Bias Assessment

• The necessity of assessing Internal and External Validity of included studies
• Introduction to standardized critical appraisal tools for different study designs (e.g., RoB 2.0 for RCTs)
• Assessing key bias domains: selection, performance, detection, attrition, and reporting bias
• Ensuring Inter-rater Reliability (IRR) during the quality assessment process
• Using quality assessment results to inform the confidence in the overall evidence base (e.g., GRADE)

Practical session: Applying a standardized quality assessment tool to an assigned research paper and justifying the risk of bias rating for three key domains.

Module 6: Data Extraction and Coding for Synthesis

• Designing and pilot-testing a standardized data extraction form
• Key types of data to extract: study characteristics, methodological details, outcomes, and findings
• Strategies for handling and extracting data from studies with complex designs or multiple intervention arms
• Coding and categorizing textual or qualitative data within a quantitative review context
• Managing challenges related to missing outcome data and data transformation

Practical session: Utilizing a standardized form to extract essential study details and quantitative results from three provided full-text articles.

Module 7: Narrative Synthesis and Thematic Grouping

• Determining when narrative synthesis is the most appropriate method (e.g., high heterogeneity)
• Techniques for grouping studies by theoretical framework, intervention type, or participant characteristics
• Methods for identifying patterns, themes, and contradictions across study findings
• Utilizing Synthesis Matrices and tables to visually structure and compare extracted data
• Presenting the Strength of Evidence and limitations associated with narrative synthesis

Practical session: Developing a thematic grouping structure and synthesizing the key findings of five non-comparable studies using a tabular synthesis matrix.

Module 8: Introduction to Meta-Analysis Principles

• The statistical meaning of Effect Size and methods for calculation (e.g., standardized mean difference, odds ratio)
• Assessing statistical Homogeneity and Heterogeneity using the I^2 statistic and chi^2 test
• Fixed-effect versus random-effects models and when to apply each
• Interpretation of the Forest Plot: overall effect, confidence intervals, and study weight
• Addressing publication bias through funnel plot analysis

Practical session: Interpreting a pre-generated Forest Plot to assess the overall summary effect, confidence interval, and the level of statistical heterogeneity.

Module 9: Reporting Standards and Dissemination

• Detailed review of the PRISMA Statement 2020 checklist items
• Constructing the PRISMA Flow Diagram to illustrate the study selection process
• Structuring the results section: flow of studies, characteristics, risk of bias, and synthesis results
• Guidance on writing a transparent and methodologically complete methods section
• Ethical reporting and managing conflicts of interest in systematic reviews

Practical session: Creating a complete draft PRISMA Flow Diagram based on a provided mock log of screened records, excluded studies, and included studies.

Module 10: Writing, Reviewing, and Utilizing the Review

• Strategies for writing a compelling and evidence-based conclusion and discussion
• Articulating the Limitations of the review and outlining clear avenues for future research
• Translating review findings into actionable policy recommendations or clinical guidelines
• Strategies for successfully submitting and navigating the peer-review process for systematic reviews
• Introduction to the concept of Living Systematic Reviews and updating protocols

Practical session: Peer-reviewing a sample systematic review's abstract and conclusion section, focusing on clarity, adherence to findings, and practical utility.

Requirements:

• Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.
• Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588