Advanced Literature Reviewing module (BM41007)
Build the skills to design, carry out, and report a systematic review or literature review, from constructing a search strategy to conducting meta-analyses with forest and funnel plots
Advanced Literature Reviewing is a 10-credit optional module for intercalating BMSc students. It gives you a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of systematic review methodology.
You'll learn how to construct a search strategy, identify and screen primary studies, assess quality and bias, and extract and analyse data. The module covers sources of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, publication bias, and how to interpret forest and funnel plots.
You'll also learn how to apply the principles of rigour and transparency that underpin high-quality research. Research ethics is covered throughout, including the Declaration of Helsinki and the Research Governance Framework. Teaching combines up to 15 hours of tutor-led sessions with 85 hours of directed and self-directed study.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Understand the different stages of the research process, from study design to dissemination
- Learn the key steps in designing and conducting a systematic review
- Develop skills in data extraction, meta-analysis, and the interpretation of forest and funnel plots
- Write a research protocol with a detailed study timetable
- Apply ethical principles to research design, including the Declaration of Helsinki and Research Governance Framework
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Critically review literature relevant to your chosen research topic
- Design a research study showing mastery of evidence base, study design selection, and alignment to research aims
- Formulate a systematic review, including developing the research question, constructing a search strategy, and assessing quality and bias
- Conduct a meta-analysis as part of a systematic review, including forest and funnel plots
Assignments / assessments
Coursework (100%)
- Written study protocol (approximately 1,000 words)
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
- Tutor-led group work and didactic sessions (up to 15 hours)
- Directed and self-directed study (85 hours)