Module manager: Judy Wright
Email: j.m.wright@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
See programme entry requirements
This module is not approved as an Elective
The amount of research generated annually is constantly increasing. This makes it difficult for users of health and social care research to identify and remain up-to-date with new and emerging research. Systematic reviews provide a crucial approach for health and social care professionals and researchers in summarising research literature and informing evidence-based decision-making. The course covers the different components of conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, allowing you to gain practical experience in these processes. You will be supported by tutors with expertise in the design, conduct and assessment of systematic reviews relating to health and social care. By the end of the course, you will have the skills needed to design your own high-quality systematic reviews. While the course focuses on systematic reviews of quantitative studies, many of the concepts you will be taught also apply to qualitative and mixed-methods reviews. By the end of the course, you should be able to: • Explain the foundational concepts of systematic reviews • Understand the key components of a review question and how to generate one • Describe the key steps involved in synthesis research designs, including systematic reviews; • Review and interpret findings of systematic reviews • Apply critical appraisal to assess the accuracy, reliability and design of systematic reviews • Independently design a protocol for a quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis
The teaching style for this module will be active and participative. The module will include a series of lecture-style sessions, seminars with activities, and computer practical classes. Examples of reviews that will be discussed and appraised during the sessions with be taken from applied health and social care research. However, the processes and approach to systematic reviewing detailed during the course will apply to literature not related to health and social care research.
Through lectures, you will be introduced to the reasons why systematic reviews have become widely available and sought after by researchers and clinicians.
Through lectures and group-based activities, you will learn about the key approaches to systematically reviewing literature. This will include how to form a question that can be reviewed, how to search systematically and how to assess studies for inclusion or exclusion.
Through lectures and computer practical sessions, you will learn the principles of data synthesis - in particular the process of meta-analysis, with attention to fixed and random effects methods, heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis.
Through computer practical classes, you will learn how to use software application(s) that support preparing and maintaining systematic reviews.
Through group-based activities, you will also undertake critical appraisal of relevant journal articles and a range of review types.
Combined together, the different learning activities across the module will develop advanced knowledge of the key principles, approaches and methods for systematic reviews. This knowledge will enable you to independently design their own systematic review protocol.
On successful completion of the module and associated assessment, you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1) You will develop skills in managing the systematic review process, including coordinating tasks among team members and ensuring adherence to review protocols.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Work-ready skills - Time management, planning and organising.
2) You will learn to write clear, structured, and comprehensive systematic review protocols suitable for submission to repositories academic journals, and accessible to a variety of audiences.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Work Ready Skills – Communication.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Academic skills – Academic writing
3) You will understand and apply ethical principles in systematic reviews, including ensuring transparency and adherence to reporting standards such as PRISMA and consider equality, diversity and inclusion in the design and conduct of systematic reviews.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Sustainability skills - Ethical - Implementing ethical standards and reporting guidelines.
4) You will be skilled in using software tools to manage references, conduct screening, and facilitate the review process.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Digital skills - Digital Proficiency / Digital leaning and development
On successful completion of the module and associated assessment, you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1) Apply the key principles of systematic reviews to systematic review protocol design.
2) Apply advanced knowledge of key approaches and methods in health and social care research systematic reviews.
3) Design high quality health and social care systematic reviews including formulation of questions, search strategy, choice of critical appraisal methods, data extraction, and data analysis of previously reported health and social care data.
4) Critically appraise the quality and relevance of systematic reviews for applied health and social care.
5) Design strategies for presenting and disseminating systematic review findings and devise strategies for achieving impact with systematic reviews.
6) Embed equality, diversity, inclusion principles and PPIE (public and patient involvement and engagement) in systematic review design.
An overview of systematic reviews and evidence syntheses
Formulating a review question
Developing a review protocol
Reviewing a review
Finding the evidence for systematic reviews
Selecting studies and developing a data-extraction system
Data synthesis including Meta-analysis, heterogeneity and publication bias
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Lecture | 6 | 1.5 | 9 |
| Practical | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1.5 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 126 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
- 3 hours reading and writing up per lecture
- 5 hours reading and writing up per seminar
- 8 hours reading and writing up per practical class.
You will participate in small group work and practical sessions with tutor support that will take place throughout the module, providing you with regular opportunities for formative feedback on the topics being covered.
Two formative assessments will take place. You will participate in the first formative assessment on day 1 that will be in the form of a quiz focusing on different types of systematic review designs. This will provide an opportunity for teaching staff to respond to any gaps in knowledge. You will have a second formative assessment will take place on day 4 as a quiz, focusing on critically appraising the quality and relevance of applied health and social care systematic reviews.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| In-course MCQ | Formative MCQ | 0 |
| In-course MCQ | Formative MCQ: critically appraising the quality and relevance of applied health and social care systematic reviews | 0 |
| Literature Review | 2,000-3,000 protocol | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resits will be of the same format as the original piece of coursework. Module marks will be capped at 50% on successful resit of any failed assessment in the module.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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