AORG907: Introduction to Systematic Review (SR) and the use of SR in Social Science

This course has been designed to give an introduction to the use of systematic reviews (SR) in social science research. SR is a synthesis of existing knowledge that uses transparent and explicitly defined procedures to find, evaluate and synthesize the results of relevant research. Evidence synthesis uses formal explicit rigorous methods to bring together the findings of studies already completed and to provide an account of the totality of what is known from that pre-existing research. SR is widely used in medicine and healthcare and has in the last decades become increasingly important in the social sciences.

This course has three main goals: First, to provide an understanding of the purpose and principles of evidence. The second goal is to learn how to conduct, and critical appraise, a SR. The final goal is to gain insight in how SR can be used in own research projects.

Lecturers: Prof. Marit Skivenes (UiB), Prof. Hans Lund (HVL).