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Unit of study_
CEPI5315: Systematic Reviews
2025 unit information
In this unit of study, we aim to introduce you to systematic reviews and meta-analyses of relevance to healthcare with a particular focus on systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. Students can choose to learn in online or normal day (on-campus) mode. All students will work through ten online modules addressing the following topics at an introductory level: defining the research question and developing a protocol, searching the literature, navigating the screening and selection of studies, data extraction techniques, quality assessment and risk of bias evaluation, interpreting meta-analysis results, assessing the quality of evidence using GRADE, understanding reporting standards, and how to critically appraise systematic reviews. Students will have the opportunity to discuss unit of study learning materials in online discussion boards or via weekly (on-campus) tutorials. Readings and other learning materials will be available via eLearning.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Public Health |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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CEPI5100 or PUBH5010 or CLTR5001 |
| Prohibitions:
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CEPI5203 or CEPI5102 or CEPI5314 or CLTR5000 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand at an introductory level the what, why, and how of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
- LO2. Understand key elements of other 'types' of reviews (eg systematic reviews of observational studies)
- LO3. Formulate answerable healthcare questions and undertake literature searching at an introductory level to locate systematic reviews and RCTs
- LO4. Undertake comprehensive literature searching required for a systematic review of RCTs
- LO5. Understand at an introductory level the what, why, and how of a meta-analysis of RCTs
- LO6. Understand at an introductory level how a meta- analyses of RCTs are conducted and reported
- LO7. Appraise the question and validity of a systematic review of RCTs
- LO8. Appraise and apply the results of a systematic review of RCTs.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2024
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 1 2024
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 1 2025
|
Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
