Living Systematic Reviews

About the Webcast

Living systematic reviews (LSR) are updated on a regular schedule, rather than every few years. Not all SRs need to be updated continuously, but some developing topics have new research emerging regularly that can benefit from ongoing updates. Over 200 researchers now participate in the Living Evidence Network (LEN), which is supported by Cochrane Australia. This informal network shares information about living systematic reviews, living guidelines, and the broader area of living evidence. In this free webcast, Dr. James Thomas, a member of the LEN steering groups, and Deputy Director of the EPPI-Centre, will guide viewers through the “why and how” of LSR and will share the latest updates on this emerging synthesis strategy. As he is actively involved in developing new technologies and supporting methods to support LSRs, he will also summarize some of the latest developments in this area.

View the Archive

  1. This webcast originally aired on March 18, 2020. The archive is available on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/kAZ5PNAy10k

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About the Presenter

Photo of Dr. James Thomas

Dr. James Thomas is Professor of Social Research & Policy at the EPPI-Centre, UCL in London. His research covers substantive disciplinary fields, such as public health and education, and also computer and information science. He has written extensively on research synthesis, including methods for combining qualitative and quantitative research in reviews, and leads the Systematic Reviews Facility for the Department of Health, England. His activities in computer science include implementing novel technologies and processes (including machine learning and crowdsourcing) to improve the efficiency of systematic reviews; and leading development of EPPI-Reviewer, software which manages data through all stages of a systematic review.