The Scientific Committee call for agenda items is now closed.

Cochrane GRADE

New Editorial Team StructureCochrane Reviews are used to inform healthcare and health policy internationally. These systematic reviews should consistently and reliably use the most appropriate and scientifically justified methods. These methods are described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, which is updated and maintained to ensure that it reacts to novel methodological developments and is informed by the latest empirical evidence where possible.

We are pleased to announce Cochrane will fund two projects to support the implementation of Methods.We congratulate lead investigators Hilary Thomson and Carl Moons, and their colleagues.

Applications have now closed.  Voting for the nominated candidates will begin soon. This webpage will be updated when voting opens.

Abridged version of a Cochrane Methods editorial by Sally Hopewell, editor Methodology Review Group.Cochrane Methods has come of age. This the last paper issue as we move towards delivering content via an open access peer-reviewed, a Cochrane Methods section in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). As a section of the CDSR, it will gain, and contribute to, the CDSR impact factor while continuing to publish high quality methods research.

Living Systematic Reviews are systematic reviews that are continually updated, incorporating new, relevant data as it becomes available.1 By retaining currency, and maintaining methodological rigor, they offer a tantalising opportunity to realise the original vision for Cochrane, to ‘include a library of trial overviews which will be updated when new data become available’.2

An argument-based approach to aggregation of evidence involving multiple outcome indicators.October 11th 2016Computational models of argument are being developed to capture aspects of how we handle incomplete and inconsistent information through the use of argumentation.

Cochrane needs, as per the Methods Structure and Function Review, to separate two principle methods functions as methods research, evaluation and development is a separate task from providing methods support to CRGs and Centres etc. The former largely drives Methods Groups  (research networks with people working to their own research agenda for which Cochrane benefits). The latter requires greater consideration and development needing a multi-level approach creating capacity and working more closely with CRGs.

The Society for Research Synthesis Methodology presents awards to Cochrane ContributorsThe Society for Research Synthesis Methodology supports and promotes the development and use of innovative and robust methods of research synthesis. At their 2016 Annual Meeting, held in Florence, Italy from 11-13 July, the Society recognized the important contributions of Tianjing Li and Julian Higgins.