November 19-21, 2018
Background:
Sir Iain Chalmers in a talk entitled “The scandalous failure of scientists to cumulate scientifically”, he informed the scientific community that rather than looking at any study in isolation, we need to look at the body of evidence. Meta-analysis refers to the statistical synthesis of results from a series of studies. While the statistical procedures can be applied to any set of data, the synthesis will be meaningful only if the studies have been collected systematically. This could be in the context of a systematic review, the process of systematically locating, appraising (and then synthesizing) data from completed studies.
Meta-analyses are conducted for a variety of reasons, not only to synthesize evidence on the effects of interventions or to support evidence-based policy or practice. The purpose of the meta-analysis, or more generally, the purpose of any research synthesis has implications for when it should be performed, what model should be used to analyze the data, what sensitivity analyses should be undertaken, and how the results should be interpreted. BMJ publishes a series of journals on Evidence Based medicine, built on the results from systematic reviews. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are also used to examine the performance of diagnostic tests, epidemiological associations between exposure and disease prevalence, among other topics. This workshop gives an pportunity to learn and do practical with the help of Prof. Guido Knapp, from the Department of Statistics of TU Dortmund University, Germany and CMC Faculty.
Workshop Objectives
- understand the need for systematic review and (network) meta-analysis.
- understand the difference between “fixed effect” and “random effects” meta-analysis model.
- conduct meta-analysis for normal, binary, and survival outcomes.
- be aware of possible causes of heterogeneity and methods to test for this.
- understand how subgroup analyses and meta-regression can be used to explore heterogeneity.
- conduct multivariate meta-analysis and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.
- understand the basics of Bayesian meta-analysis.
- understand what indirect comparisons and network meta-analysis.
- use R packages for meta-analysis.
Who should apply?
This course is tailored to medical, allied health professionals, nonmedical faculty, and researchers actively involved in clinical epidemiology, clinical research, clinical care, or clinical teaching.
Course Fee: Rs. 8,000/- (Inclusive of 18% GST)
Venue
The course will be
held at the Biostatistics Resource and Training Center (BRTC),
Dept. of
Biostatistics, (Adjacent to College Chapel),
Christian Medical College,
Bagayam, Vellore 632 002.
Accommodation:
Participants
will have to bear their own expenses for travel, boarding and lodging.
The Organizers will provide Lunch and Snacks. However, the organizers
may arrange basic accommodation with A/C facility in the college campus
on request. Only limited accommodation is available on campus and
priority will be given to the female participants.
Course Fee should be paid in full by November 10, 2018.
Payment can be made by Demand Draft in favor of “Christian Medical College Vellore Association Account”, payable at Vellore.
The number of participants for each course is limited to 40 and admission will be purely on first come first served basis.
Note: After Registration, if cancelled, the course fee will not be refunded