Columbia Summer Research Institute (CSRI)

Special Seminars & Workshops

Seminars

Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis Seminar

Wednesday, May 15 from 12 - 1pm on Zoom (free)

Join us for an introductory seminar that introduces the benefits and challenges of conducting a systematic review, and review methods and best practices for rigor and transparency. Designed for academic researchers and clinicians interested mastering the art and science of conducting, reading, and reviewing meta-analyses and evidence syntheses, this one-hour session will cover the following essential topics to empower you in your research journey: 

  • Understanding when to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis.
  • How to identify appropriate topics for review.
  • How to assemble an effective study team.
  • Learn organizational strategies to guide the project in a reproducible manner. 
  • Review steps of evidence synthesis to gain awareness of resource and time requirements.
  • Navigate challenges and pitfalls of evidence synthesis, such as handling hidden heterogeneity. 

Do not miss this opportunity to enhance your skills in conducting systematic reviews and unlock new avenues for impactful research. Register here.

Workshops

Five-day Intensive Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis Workshop

August 19th, 21st, 23rd, and 26th from 11am - 4pm and August 28th from 1pm - 3pm on Zoom ($249)

Research synthesis using systematic review and meta-analysis is one of the most valuable of research endeavors, and can be a particularly rewarding experience for junior investigators who want to develop expertise in a specific area of public health or medicine by producing a product with significant scientific impact. Held over two weeks, this five-day workshop will combine lectures with hands-on practice to introduce participants to the principles and practices of systematic review and meta-analysis, enabling them to conduct their own evidence synthesis using best practices for rigor, reproducibility, and transparency. It is targeted to participants who have previously been introduced to the concepts of basic biostatistics, epidemiology, and clinical trials. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have contributed significantly to the conduct and presentation of a systematic review and meta-analysis of a topic chosen by their group. The emphasis in this workshop is on the actual conduct of systematic review and meta-analysis. Morning lectures are followed daily by afternoon lab/workshop hours during which instructors support participants in mastering each stage of the evidence synthesis process. Days without lecture or formal group-work hours can be used for each group to work on class assignments, each of which builds towards the final synthesis and meta-analysis. As a culminating experience, participants present the results of their group work summarizing the process they followed, unexpected challenges, main findings, and plans for future research using their newly acquired research synthesis skills. Participants must have foundational knowledge of Biostatistics, especially in interpretation of statistical results.

This workshop is limited to 20 participants and is only open to Columbia University affiliates. Apply to be a part of the workshop as an individual, or as a group/team. Applicants may propose a systemic review topic to work on as part of the workshop (required for teams, but not required for individuals). Applications will open on May 15 and will be due on May 31.

* $249 per person workshop fee due at the time of submission. Applicants who are not accepted to the workshop will receive a full refund of the workshop fee.

 

Workshop Application Guidelines

Applicants may apply as an individual or as a team to the five-day intensive Systematic Review & Meta-analysis Workshop which will be held on August 19th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, and 28th. Guidelines are listed below.

For individual applicants

  • (Optional for individual applicants) If proposing a project for the workshop, you will need:
    • A title for your proposed project
    • A description of your proposed project (more info)
    • DOI links to at least three completed and published studies for your proposed project
  • A short statement of your reasons for applying to this workshop, explaining what potential impact the workshop might have for you. (300 characters minimum , 500 characters maximum )
  • Recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Credit card payment of $249 is due upon submission

For team applicants

  • Select one team member to be the primary applicant who will submit the application.
  • Teams are required to propose a project for the workshop. The team will need to decide on:
    • A title for the team's proposed project
    • A description of the team's proposed project (more info)
    • DOI links to at least three completed and published studies for the team's proposed project
  • A short statement of you team's reasons for applying to this workshop, explaining what potential impact the workshop might have for your team. (300 characters minimum , 500 characters maximum )
  • The primary applicant will collect recent CVs from all team members and compile the CVs into one single PDF file.
  • The primary applicant will complete the Systematic Review & Meta-analysis Workshop application form.
    • The primary applicant can choose to submit a credit card payment for the entire team ($249 per team member), or just for themself ($249).
    • Upon submission, all other team members will receive an email notification with a unique link to the Team Member Agreement form. The Team Member Agreement form is required for all other team members in order to complete the team's application.
      • In the case that the primary applicant pays only for themself, the Team Member Agreement form will require a credit card payment of $249 from each team member.
      • In the case that the primary applicant pays for the entire team, other team members will not be asked to submit payment.

Application timeline

  • Applications open: Friday, May 15 at 1pm
  • Application deadline: Friday, May 31 at 11:59pm *
  • Decision notification: Friday, June 14

 

Workshop FAQ

Who is elegible?

This workshop is open to Columbia University affiliates. Participants should have foundational knowledge of Biostatistics, especially in the interpretation of statistical results.

What needs to be included in the description of the proposed project?

Please be sure to include the following in your description:

  • Population: Who are you interested in studying (e.g., age range, sex, disease)?
  • Intervention: What type of intervention are you going to focus on (e.g., medication, behavioral)?
  • Comparisons: Who are you comparing (e.g., intervention vs. control)?
  • Outcomes: What is your outcome of interest?
  • Study Design: What type of trial are you going to focus on (e.g., pre- post, randomized controlled trials)?

For example, you might choose to study the effect of cognitive behavior therapy (intervention) relative to an education-only control group (comparison) on depressive symptoms (outcomes) in patients with breast cancer (population). For the purpose of this workshop, note that we will ask you to focus on RCTs (study design).

What happens if my proposed project is not selected?

Admission to the workshop is not based on your proposed project. You may still be admitted even if your project is not selected. In this case, you would be assigned to work on another project. For teams, you may be split up to work on different projects.

What is the refund & cancellation policy?

For those NOT admitted to the workshop:
• 100% refund

For those admitted to the workshop:
• 50% refund if canceled on or before 11:59pm on August 1, 2024.
• No refund if canceled after August 1, 2024.
• No refunds for no-shows, or missed classes.