Research Synthesis for Policy and Practice
   
 

NZSSN 2009 Short Course Summer Program

Start: 15 February, 2010
Finish: 18 February, 2010


Email: courses@nzssn.org.nz

PREREQUISITES
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, it is recommended that attendees have some prior experience of social science research methods as would be found in undergraduate social science courses. The course is designed for those either producing or using research to inform decision making. The course is likely to be of interest to two main groups. Firstly, those in a role with a policy agency, NGO or other organisation where the preparation and interpretation of position papers or similar documents based on extant literature is, or is likely to be, an important part of their work. Secondly, policy and academic researchers wishing to learn more about broad based quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods systematic reviews.

COURSE AIMS
The objective is to develop awareness and capacity in broad based user driven research synthesis in the research community and also to ensure that a representative group of individuals in policy agencies and NGOs can gain expertise in the use of systematic reviews and other research scanning and synthesising techniques for policy and practice.

COURSE OUTLINE
This course will be of interest to those wishing to:

  • familiarise themselves with the principles of systematic reviewing of research;

  • read and critique systematic reviews;

  • learn how to conduct a quantitative and qualitative systematic review.

The course covers a range of approaches to research synthesis. It examines how systematic reviews can address a broad range of research questions, can include many different types of primary research and can be both integrative and interpretive using both a-priori and iterative methods, and how research reviews, like all research projects, need to be appraised for their strengths and weaknesses.

The module aims to develop an understanding of:
  • the history, theory and purpose of systematic reviews;

  • the range of quantitative and qualitative approaches to synthesis;

  • the stages of systematic maps and synthesis;

  • involving users of research in the research process;

  • enabling evidence to be relevant for policy and practice.