Event

Meta-analyses are widely conducted and highly influential. Papers about methods for meta-analysis are among the most highly cited in health research. However, my observation is that many (possibly even most) citations of these papers are associated with misunderstanding or misuse of the method. These include misuse of statistics to measure heterogeneity, misunderstanding of random-effects meta-analysis and misuse of reporting guidelines. I will reflect on these problems and explain where I think people are going wrong.

Julian Higgins is Professor of Evidence Synthesis with a long-standing interest in methodology of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. He is author of over 350 publications, collectively cited more than 350,000 times. His contributions include: a Bayesian approach to network meta-analysis; the I-squared statistic to quantify inconsistency across studies in a meta-analysis; simple prediction intervals for random-effects meta-analysis; a general framework for individual participant data meta-analysis; and risk-of-bias assessment tools for clinical trials and other study designs. He is a past President of the Society for Research Synthesis Methodology and has co-edited the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions since 2003. He is also co-author of the Wiley textbook Introduction to Meta-analysis and co-editor of the 3rd edition of Wiley textbook Systematic Reviews in Health Research: Meta-analysis in Context.

While in Melbourne, Julian will be leading an in-person short course on Assessing the risk of bias in studies evaluating the effects of interventions and of exposures. The course is designed for those undertaking systematic reviews, synthesizing evidence for guidelines, or generally interested in how to appraise studies. March 21 and 22. For registration information, please see here.

This seminar will be delivered in person and available to stream online via Zoom. It will be recorded.

Morning tea will be provided after the event.

If attending in person, please RSVP here by Thursday 7 March.

Location:

Seminar Room 515, Level 5

Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

207 Bouverie Street,

Parkville VIC 3053

Zoom: 

https://monash.zoom.us/j/84828929567?pwd=UmhzQzdSbFNvTmtsSytrSlNML0dHZz09

Or, go to https://monash.zoom.us/join and enter

Meeting ID: 848 2892 9567 and

Passcode: 230906