by Louise Tanner
A network of researchers from health and other disciplines, who are based at, or affiliated with, Newcastle University, have initiated the Systematic Reviews Group, which meets on a monthly basis to discuss topics relevant to undertaking systematic reviews. The group has been running for several years; the role of group organiser has flitted between staff and student members of IHS, until the role was taken over by the Evidence Synthesis Team to provide a forum at which advice pertaining to systematic review methods could be provided to groups of people rather than responding to individual emails, many of which that raised the same questions. The format of each meeting involves a presentation from a member of staff or a student with experience of using a particular systematic review method, followed by questions and discussion between group members.