Systematic Reviews of Mixed Methods Evidence CPD Course
After two successful in-person CPD courses in 2024 and 2025 our next iteration is planned for January 2026!
Join University of Exeter leaders with extensive experience of producing evidence-based synthesis and providing training for a range of policy customers including NICE, NHSE, DHSC, WHO, and UN's Green Climate Fund.
Dates: To be confirmed soon
Delegate Testimonials:
'This course is an excellent overview of a range of approaches that can be taken to mixed methods evidence synthesis... led by an experienced and knowledgeable team, with a good balance of lectures and hands on workshops to consolidate learning. Would recommend to anyone currently or planning to do a mixed methods review.' Course participant 2025
"The course has boosted my confidence in being able to critically appraise and to oversee mixed methods reviews with a refreshing and interesting dose of scientific methods along the way. Clear and accessible lectures delivered by engaging instructors who could provide first-hand knowledge of the challenges and strategies for mixed methods synthesis." Course participant 2024
Booking will open soon. Email us to register your interest: FHLS_CPD@exeter.ac.uk
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In addition to understanding “what works”, policy makers and practitioners often need to understand how something works, the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention, how best to implement it or whether there are unintended consequences. They may also want to understand how people value particular outcomes, or why differences in impact are seen. Qualitative evidence can often speak to these issues. Bringing together the insights from both quantitative and qualitative evidence can enhance the completeness, relevance or interpretation of the evidence base.
There are a number of ways in which quantitative and qualitative evidence can inform each other and a range of approaches and methods for mixed methods synthesis depending on the questions being asked and the data available, which will be explored in this course.
Delivery dates
Dates of next course in 2026 to be announced soon
Where - In-Person - Exeter, UK
Objectives
Through a mix of lectures, hands-on exercises, small group work and plenary discussion you will learn:
- Approaches, tools and methodologies for mixed methods systematic reviews and syntheses.
- When mixed methods design might be appropriate.
- How to formulate mixed methods review questions.
- Approaches to searching, study selection, data extraction and critical appraisal.
The course will be delivered by University of Exeter researchers with a wealth of experience in mixed methods systematic reviews including for policy customers.
Delegate Rate
Early Bird Rate
To be confirmed
PhD Students and University of Exeter Staff
To be confirmed
Standard Delegate Rate
To be confirmed
Certificates
At the end of the course, we will provide you with a certificate of attendance, including the number of taught hours, learning outcomes and CPD reflection.
Accommodation
Delegates are asked to cover their own costs for accommodation. Please see accommodation options in Exeter City at Visit Exeter.
Programme for Systematic Reviews of Mixed Methods Evidence CPD Course
Example Programme
TIMETABLE
*This programme will be subject to minor alterations for 2026 iteration.
|
Day 1 |
What |
How |
Speaker |
|
8:30-9:00 |
Coffee and welcome |
|
|
|
9-9:45 |
Introduction to Mixed Methods (why use it and what it is / is not) |
Lecture |
Prof Ruth Garside |
|
9:45-10:30 |
When and how can you integrate? |
Lecture |
Prof Ruth Garside |
|
10:30 |
Break |
|
|
|
11-12:30 |
Formulating your Mixed Questions and Writing your Protocol |
Lecture & small group work |
Dr Liz Shaw |
|
12:30-1:30 |
Lunch Break |
|
|
|
1:30-3:00 |
Searching, Study Selection and Data Extraction |
Lecture and small group work |
Dr Simon Briscoe |
|
3-3:30 |
Break |
|
|
|
3:30-5:00 |
Quality Appraisal – choosing and using different tools |
Lecture and small group work |
Dr Noreen Orr |
|
Day 2 |
What |
How |
Speaker |
|
8:45-9:00 |
Coffee |
|
|
|
9-10:30 |
Tools for Mixed Methods Review (matrix, logic model/ conceptual framework / hypothesis testing) |
Lecture & whole group discussion |
Prof Ruth Garside |
|
10:30 |
Break |
|
|
|
11-12:30 |
Working through examples of Mixed Methods Synthesis |
Small group work |
All |
|
12:30-1:30 |
Lunch Break |
|
|
|
1:30-2:30 |
Using the interweave approach |
Lecture & small group work |
Prof Jo Thomson-Coon |
|
2:30-3:00 |
Break |
|
|
|
3:00-4:30 |
Methods for Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Data (realist, QCA etc) |
Lecture and whole group discussion |
Prof G.J. Melendez-Torres |
|
4:30-5:00 |
Wrap up and trouble shooting |
Whole group discussion |
All speakers |
End of Course
As this course will focus on bringing together diverse bodies of evidence, participants must have prior systematic review experience and knowledge of Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.
Early Career Researchers in academia, NGOs, PhD students, clinicians, VCSEs & other practitioners.
University of Exeter academics have extensive experience of producing evidence synthesis and providing training for a range of policy customers including NICE, NHSE, DHSC, WHO, UN’s Green Climate Fund.
Exeter is home to a number of specialist evidence synthesis groups responding to policy and practitioner need, including the PenARC Evidence Synthesis Team; HSDR Evidence Synthesis Centre; PRP Evidence Review Facility; PenTAG and the new Isca Evidence group.
Speakers
Professor Ruth Garside - Course Lead
Ruth is a social science researcher specialising in systematic review and evidence synthesis. She has over 20 years’ experience using quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate a range of policy relevant health and social care questions. Her work has informed national policy customers including the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Defra and the Home Office. She is particularly interested in using a broad range of evidence to investigate complex public health issues, in methods of synthesis for qualitative research and in theory led methods of review. Recent projects forcus on evaluating the mental health impact of nature-based social prescribing.
Her role at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health is to coordinate evidence synthesis across streams of research and to help develop these methods within environment and human health. Her focus is on appraising health benefits from the environment.
She is also committed to public and patient involvement in research and am a founder of HEPE, a network of people from across Cornwall who have an interest in research about the connections between environment and health. The group aims to consult and collaborate with researchers from the Centre, ensuring that its work considers the public perspective at all stages of research, from design and conduct to dissemination.
Broad research specialisms: Policy relevant systematic review and evidence synthesis methods of complex interventions using quantitative and qualitative research evidence. Public and patient involvement. Nature-based social prescribing.
Twitter @Ruth_Garside
Dr Simon Briscoe
Dr Simon Briscoe is an information specialist and systematic reviewer with over 10 years’ experience of contributing methodological expertise to a variety of different types of evidence syntheses. His current role is a hybrid information specialist/systematic reviewer role with the Exeter PRP Evidence Review Facility. This involves working with colleagues to produce systematic reviews and other types of evidence synthesis to inform health and social care policy in the UK. His PhD (by publication) explores the role of expert judgement when searching for studies for systematic reviews.
Professor G J Melendez-Torres
G J is professor of clinical & social epidemiology and leads the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), one of 11 major research units in the UK providing expert advice on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new drugs to the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence. GJ leads the School for Public Health Environments Research at Exeter (SPHERE). G J is also Deputy Director of the Exeter NIHR Policy Research Programme Evidence Reviews Facility. As an educator, GJ teaches research methods from foundational statistics to advanced survival analysis, and developed the College of Medicine and Health's Master of Public Health degree.
Prof Jo Thompson-Coon
Jo has extensive experience of conducting systematic reviews and evidence syntheses spanning both qualitative and quantitative approaches and encompassing a wide range of study designs. She has a particular interest in mixed methods synthesis. Jo joined the University of Exeter in 2001 and spent three years as a Research Fellow in Complementary Medicine performing systematic reviews of the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines. In 2004, she joined PenTAG where she was involved in producing Technology Assessment Reports for NICE and the HTA Programme. Since 2009 she has led the PenARC Evidence Synthesis Team where she is involved in producing systematic reviews and evidence syntheses to inform locally relevant evidence based practice.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact us:
Tel: +44 (0)1392 722964
