Cochrane’s first open access journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, recently opened for submissions! See our announcement for full details.  

Why is Cochrane launching a new journal? And why now? We’re discussing Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods in relation to Cochrane’s four key values: Collaboration, relevance, integrity and quality.

Today is Quality.

Quality is about reviewing and improving what we do, while maintaining our rigor and trust.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods welcomes innovative ideas and is not afraid to trial new ways of publishing. This includes showcasing practices that support research integrity, including: the ability to include Open Research Badges; embedding consumer involvement within the journal; piloting how to better visualise research, such as with gap maps; and improving peer review with a range of initiatives, detailed in the collaboration and integrity news items.

As part of improving what we do, the journal pushes boundaries and advocates for new approaches in evidence-based healthcare. It welcomes hard hitting commentaries and debates from researchers across the field and aims to develop the evidence base for how we produce and publish evidence synthesis. This may include, for example, studies within reviews, and sharing best practice and case studies in evidence synthesis production, management and publishing.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods requires the use of the most appropriate reporting guidelines when writing your manuscript, such as PRISMA and its extensions or other study design reporting guidelines found via the EQUATOR Network. Authors should report on all items in the checklist; either confirming where the item is in the article or state that the item was not considered, and why not. This is to improve the completeness of reporting to facilitate peer review and the readability of the research.

For more information on Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods:

• See the journal website with details on how to submit
• Announcement of a new open-access journal for Cochrane: Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our collaboration
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our relevance
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our integrity

Cochrane’s first open access journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, recently opened for submissions! See our announcement for full details.  

Why is Cochrane launching a new journal? And why now? We’re discussing Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods in relation to Cochrane’s four key values: Collaboration, relevance, integrity, and quality. 

Today is Integrity.

Integrity includes ensuring independence and transparency. 

As a Cochrane journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods abides by Cochrane’s conflict of interest policy. This policy is stricter than most other journals and not only requires study funding and author interests to be declared at the earliest point possible, but also mandates that some funding and conflicts of interest will prevent people from being authors.
 
Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods expects data sharing, with a transparent statement on the availability of the data in the submission, along with a citation if possible. It is also part of the Open Research Badges program, whereby authors can clearly indicate on their publications whether their data and materials are open and available to other researchers, and whether their study was preregistered.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods will be part of Wiley’s transparent peer review pilot, which means the peer reviewer reports, authors’ responses, and the editor’s decision letter will be linked from the published article to where they appear on Publons (if accepted). Authors do have the choice to opt-out, if they prefer, and peer reviewers can choose to sign their reports or remain anonymous.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods has a strong commitment to open science and high research integrity, which helps move science forward with trust and credibility.

Please join us on 9 March 2023 for a webinar with Michael Brown, Editor of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods.
 

For more information on Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: 

•  See the journal website with details on how to submit
• Announcement of a new open-access journal for Cochrane: Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods 
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our collaboration 
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our relevance

Cochrane’s first open access journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, recently opened for submissions! See our announcement for full details.  

Why is Cochrane launching a new journal? And why now? We’re discussing Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods in relation to Cochrane’s four key values: Collaboration, relevance, integrity and quality. 

Today is Relevance.

Relevance is about having the right evidence at the right time in the right format. 

In the last post, we discussed how Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods strengthens Cochrane’s ability to meet our stakeholders’ needs and publish different types of evidence synthesis beyond systematic reviews. 

For all submissions, the editors also expect a clearly stated question and evidence of stakeholder need or research that informed the question, as well as encouraging patient important outcomes and/or standardized outcomes, as defined by COMET. 

In terms of the format, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods aims to make this as easy as possible for authors. The journal supports free format submissions so authors don’t have to spend hours updating manuscripts to specific formatting requirements before submission.  

In addition, the editors encourages accessible language to be used in all submissions. This is hugely beneficial for researchers from across disciplines, non-native English speakers and consumers who will not be familiar with overly technical or difficult to read language. In addition, plain language summaries will be expected for all submissions that include health-related outcomes to ensure the research has as broad a reach as possible.  

Authors are also able to include graphical or visual abstracts alongside submissions to help readers identify and visualise the important messages quickly and easily. We have guidance on creating visual abstracts available to help authors.    

And then we have evidence at the right time. To ensure articles are shared and made discoverable as early as possible, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods considers articles previously published on preprint servers, or, during submission you can opt-in to Under Review, a preprint server that aims to open up the peer review process. Once submissions are accepted, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods shares the accepted draft article online immediately to prevent any delays in getting the research to the community. This happens before the article is copyedited and the final version is shared. 

Embedding relevance will facilitate our impact globally, which the journal will showcase with a variety of journal and article metrics. 

Please join us on 9 March 2023 for a webinar with Michael Brown, Editor of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods.

 

For more information on Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: 

•  See the journal website with details on how to submit
• Announcement of a new open-access journal for Cochrane: Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods 
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our collaboration 
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our integrity

Cochrane switched from using its first risk of bias tool to using the updated version, RoB 2, in 2019. Cochrane adopted a phased approach allowing authors to decide when to use it and offering them support from the editorial team. A paper outlining their experience and lessons learned has been published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.

The 2019 relaunch aimed to improve its usability and to reflect current understanding of how the causes of bias can influence study results. While it is the recommended tool to assess the risk of bias in randomised control trials included in Cochrane Reviews, it is also  likely to be widely adopted by many systematic reviewers outside of Cochrane.

Cochrane’s phased approach meant users of the tool informed the development of guidance. The ROB 2 tool has some fundamental differences from the original tool, which was first used in 2008. This caused some issues for some author teams where the tool was not applied correctly.

The paper highlights learning for all systematic reviewers, Cochrane and non-Cochrane, on:

• The differences between the original version of the tool and RoB 2
• Key steps to take when planning a review using RoB 2 for reporting both protocols or full reviews

The guidance was all based on learning from the authors during the pilot phase of the implementation.

The paper’s authors, including the ROB 2 tool developers, Cochrane editors and Applied Reserach Collaboration West's Tess Moore and Julian Higgins, concluded:

“Assessing the risk of bias for specific results allows us to see the impact this has on a synthesis or meta-analysis, whereas previously a study was usually judged for bias overall and might have left some results with a worse assessment of bias than was warranted.”

• Read 'Using Risk of Bias 2 to assess results from randomised controlled trials: guidance from Cochrane'
• Learn more about RoB 2

_{Article written by Tess Moore and originally published on NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West}

Cochrane’s first open access journal, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, recently opened for submissions! See our announcement for full details.

Why is Cochrane launching a new journal? And why now? Over the coming weeks we’ll discuss Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods in relation to Cochrane’s four key values: Collaboration, relevance, integrity and quality.

Today is Collaboration.

Collaboration underpins everything we do locally and globally. Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods provides a platform to collaborate more closely with many of our key stakeholders.

Researchers from across Cochrane groups, and those from the wider field who have not previously published with Cochrane, can now publish a variety of research seeking to inform and develop evidence synthesis. This includes methods research, priority setting, consumer involvement, and meta-research to improve research integrity.

We can also develop our partnerships with guideline developers, decision makers and funders through publication of evidence syntheses directly relevant to their interests, including as scoping reviews and rapid reviews.

Helping researchers develop professionally is embedded within Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods. Associate Editors are mentored by the Editor, Michael Brown, and annual peer reviewer excellence awards will shortlist potential new Associate Editors. We are also investigating how to best facilitate peer review mentoring to help early career researchers on the professional development ladder.

To ensure everyone gets the correct acknowledgement for what they do, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods asks authors and other contributors to use ORCID iD’s. For authors, this facilitates the use of CRediT to provide detailed information about each individual author’s contributions to the work, and it also allows peer reviewers and editors to add reviews to Publons.

We work closely with Cochrane’s consumers. Our Consumer Editor, Helen Bulbeck, is responsible for bringing the consumer perspective to the journal’s development and peer review. The editors also encourage all authors to involve consumers in their research; all authors should include a transparent statement on how consumers were involved and if they weren’t, why not. There will also be opportunities for consumers to be authors.

The journal is committed to inclusivity and diversity with a gender-balanced Editorial Board and representation from across all continents. This will ensure Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods works with the wider international evidence synthesis community to create a journal that meets their needs.

By developing collaboration opportunities with Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods, Cochrane will be better able to achieve its mission of a world of better health for all where decisions are informed by high-quality evidence.

Please join us on 9 March 2023 for a webinar with Michael Brown, Editor of Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods.

For more information on Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods:

• See the journal website with details on how to submit
• Announcement of a new open-access journal for Cochrane: Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our relevance
• Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods: Adding to our integrity

Cochrane London 2023: Forward together for trusted evidence
4-6 September 2023
Central London, UK

Cochrane UK is delighted to be hosting the  Cochrane Colloquium at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Centre in London, UK from the 4 to 6 of September 2023, with satellite events and meetings on the 3rd September.

Cochrane is an international non-profit network that provides evidence-based scientific knowledge to improve healthcare for all people worldwide. Cochrane Reviews summarise all available research on a specific health question. They are up-to-date, follow a rigorous scientific methodology, and are free from commercial conflicts of interest. Health professionals, patients, and policy makers trust Cochrane Reviews for their healthcare decision-making. Cochrane works with researchers, health professionals, patients, policy makers, and media representatives from around the world to make Cochrane Reviews relevant and usable.

Cochrane holds an annual conference, known as a Colloquium, that brings together Cochrane researchers, clinical professionals, early career professionals, patients and carers, policymakers, and anyone interested in evidence synthesis and evidence-based healthcare. The events are a mix of keynote speakers, training opportunities, workshops, presentations, and a lively social and networking atmosphere. They are an exciting opportunity for a community of evidence synthesis enthusiasts to share, learn, and connect.  

We invite everyone to visit the website - colloquium2023.cochrane.org - for all information related to the colloquium as it's released, including submissions for abstracts and awards/prizes, registration, stipend applications, and the event programme.

The theme of the Colloquium is 'Forward together for trusted evidence', which explores the challenges for the future around the trustworthiness of healthcare information whilst also celebrating 30 years of producing trusted evidence. Today, we have launched guidance and recommendations to help you prepare in advance for your abstract submissions. The official call for abstracts will open on the 30 January 2023.

We invite abstract submissions for the following streams: producing trusted evidence; advocating for trusted evidence; informing health and care decisions; and co-production and working together. 

• Abstract  submission guidance
• Workshop submission guidance 

Catherine Spencer, Cochrane CEO said, “The Cochrane Colloquium will bring people together in one place to discuss, develop and promote Cochrane’s work. I am looking forward to a packed programme at my first colloquium and encourage you to start to think about your contributions now as the call for abstracts will be open soon.”

Martin Burton, Director of Cochrane UK, said: “We are really looking forward to receiving submissions of abstracts for London 2023.  We’d like to encourage everyone to start thinking about their contributions now – whether they are planning oral presentations, workshops or posters. We have prepared this guidance to help everyone to prepare their contributions in good time before submissions are formally opened on 30 January 2023.” 

• Abstract  submission guidance
• Workshop submission guidance 
• Colloquium website 
• #CochraneLondon
• Press contact: Katie Abbotts, Cochrane UK

Cochrane is closing out a year of significant change and challenges with positive news of a major milestone in our transition to a more streamlined and sustainable organization. Following an open and rigorous application process, we are pleased to announce the first set of pilot Cochrane Thematic Groups – each mapping to key areas of global health and social care.

The Cochrane Thematic Groups are:

• Global Ageing
• Health Equity
• Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Person-Centred Care, Public Health and Health Systems
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Vascular
• Work and Health and Social Security

"The concept of Thematic Groups was developed at a grass roots level during last year’s community consultation process," explains Cochrane’s Editor in Chief, Karla Soares-Weiser. "The creation and remit of these new groups reflects the clear community consensus that our specialist content and methods experts must have a central role and home within our new production model."

"It’s already evident from the calibre of first round applications we received that this was a fantastic idea. Thematic Groups will open new avenues and opportunities for expanding our existing global networks and cross-disciplinary collaborations. They’ll also enable us to share vital subject expertise and practical know-how with internal and external stakeholders, including guideline developers, government agencies, policy makers and disease associations working on the world’s most pressing issues. We know there’s no shortage of complex global challenges to address – including pandemic recovery and future preparedness, equity, climate change and a raft of other important Sustainable Development Goals we have in our sights."

To contribute to global efforts across these critical areas, Thematic Groups will focus on priority setting and supporting the development and dissemination of high-quality evidence in accessible formats. They will work closely with the ten new multi-disciplinary Evidence Synthesis Units (ESUs) we plan to establish over the next three to five years. Any evidence syntheses developed by the Thematic Groups will be submitted to Cochrane’s Central Editorial Service.

To keep the community up to date with these and other developments, an updated Future Cochrane site will be launched in mid-December. It will include:

• a new series profiling the people, partnerships and priorities of each new Thematic Group
• key information about Cochrane’s new model and organizational structure
• access to this year’s entire webinar series on various aspects of transition plans, projects and processes
• the aims, milestones and estimated timelines for the 10 major projects underway to deliver our new model of production.

 "We know the last few years have seen the Cochrane community grappling with the uncertainty and profound challenges that come with major transitions," Karla says. "The establishment of our first round of Thematic Groups represents a really positive and significant step in Cochrane’s organizational transformation and sets the scene for a new year of further progress and promising possibilities."

• Learn more about the future of evidence synthesis in Cochrane

At the 2022 Annual General Meeting in October, members approved a resolution reappointing Sayer Vincent until the conclusion of a tender process to appoint new auditors. UK charities must be audited by law and the Governing Board followed legal advice in recommending the reappointment of Sayer Vincent until the conclusion of the process.

Following a rigorous tender and interview process,  it can now be reported  that the Governing Board has approved Price Bailey as auditors for a maximum term of five years, subject to members agreeing an annual Annual General Meeting resolution.   

• Watch a recording of the 2022 Annual General Meeting
• Learn more about Cochrane's governance and management, including financial and statutory reporting

Dear Cochrane Members,

Thank you for voting in the re-run Cochrane Council election!

Nai Ming Lai has been elected for a three-year term as an Author representative on the Cochrane Council. Nai Ming is Professor of Paediatrics at the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Taylor’s University in Malaysia. Trained as a Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Nai Ming has been a Cochrane author since 2004 with 26 reviews at various stages of development with 12 different review groups. He has multiple other roles in Cochrane, including associate editor in Cochrane Neonatal and Cochrane Clinical Answers, editor in Cochrane Malay translation group, peer reviewer and annotator in Cochrane Linked Data Project. He serves as consultant in systematic review for the Malaysian National Institute of Health and mentors researchers from different parts of the world in systematic review development. He will work alongside fellow author representative Vanessa Jordan.

Thank you to all the candidates who stood in these elections. The vote count for the Council election is available upon request by email to elections@cochrane.org.

• Learn more about the Cochrane Council 
• View the membership of the Cochrane Council

 "We are both thrilled and honoured to receive the 2022 Chris Silagy Prize.  We have witnessed this prize being awarded numerous times over the past 18 years and the fact that it is given to recognise extraordinary contributions within Cochrane is a gesture which resonates with us both and is a wonderful reflection on Chris Silagy himself. Unfortunately we never had the opportunity to meet or work with Chris but one of the aspects that makes this award so special is the association our first Co-ordinating Editor, Chris Williams, had with him.  We have enjoyed hearing him share memories of the time they worked together during the very early days of the Cochrane Collaboration when our Group was established.

We have had an extraordinary journey during our years with Cochrane and it is the people who we have met and worked with during this time which has made it so.  Our close Group colleagues – Jo Morrison, Robin Grant, Mike Hart, our past Co-ordinating Editor Chris Williams, Jo Platt and Tracey Harrison as well as all our national and international friends, colleagues and author teams have made the years working with our Group so rewarding both professionally and personally.  

It has been more than a job in many ways and in the true spirit of collaboration always a team effort. This honour comes at a poignant time when significant change lies ahead for our Group as well as many other CRGs so with this in mind we would like to dedicate its wonderful sentiment to all of our Cochrane colleagues.  In particular, our Managing Editor colleagues with whom we have not only shared so much regarding our day-to-day work but have also enjoyed lots of fun times together, ensuring incredibly happy memories for life.

We would also like to acknowledge Chris’ family and supporters for ensuring this important prize continues in his memory.

Thank you, once again, from both of us."

Gail Quinn and Clare Jess, 2022 Chris Silagy Prize winners

We asked Sally Green, Chris Silagy Prize Committee Chair what made Gail and Clare such a worthy winners this year
Clare Jess and Gail Quinn are joint Managing Editors for the Gynaecological, neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancer Cochrane review group. Clare and Gail started as Managing Editors in January 2004, and have been a longstanding fabulous team and the beating heart of the Group. Both Clare and Gail have been involved in Cochrane at an international level, representing and co-chairing the Managing Editors executive group and Cochrane Council between them. Clare joined the Managing Editors exec in Jan 2016, and was Co-convenor from April 2020 to Dec 2021. Gail has been on Council since its inception in 2017. Both Gail and Clare have been champions of Cochrane and their Managing Editor constituency, and have made an extraordinary contribution to Cochrane.

We also asked Sally some questions about the Chris Silagy Prize, which is awarded to an individual who has made an "extraordinary" contribution to the work of Cochrane which would not be recognized outside the scope of this prize. The Chis Silagy Prize is one of several prizes awarded annually at the colloquium.

Can you talk about your relationship with Chris Silagy? In your view, what impact did he have on Cochrane?
Chris was the foundation Director of the (then) Australasian Cochrane Centre. While Chris was on Fellowship in Oxford, Iain Chalmers recognized his potential to lead Cochrane in Australia on his return home, and together they helped to establish the Cochrane Australia in 1994. At this time it was based in Adelaide, with Philippa as Assistant Director. When the Centre moved to Melbourne, Chris recruited Sally and Steve McDonald to help build the presence at Monash. Sally had met Philippa and Chris as the first Australian Cochrane Fellow during a blistering 40-degree week in Adelaide in 1999.

Chris had an enormous and positive impact on the Cochrane Collaboration. He was Chair of the Steering Group from 1996 to 1998, and put together Cochrane’s first strategic plan. He had immeasurable energy (we used to call him the tornado) and a talent for fostering success in others.

Why did Chris feel it was important for this fund to be set up?
Chris had long advocated that Cochrane’s success was due largely to the efforts, altruism and collaborative outlook of many people, often working in under-recognized roles. When he died of lymphoma in 2001, aged 41, Chris requested a fund be established to recognize and reward these individuals, and so the Chris Silagy Prize was established.

Why is this Prize so important to the work of Cochrane?
The inaugural Prize, awarded in Stavanger in 2002, exemplified Chris’s intentions when Jini Hetherington became the first recipient of the Chris Silagy Prize. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We love the Chris Silagy Prize not only as it remembers our friend Chris, but because it also provides a way of celebrating the special characteristics of the people who have been recipients. There is nothing else like it.

We believe Chris would have been absolutely delighted to see the way Cochrane has developed and grown, and would have joined us in celebrating all of the individuals who have been awarded the Prize over the past 14 years (see here for list).

Even if you didn’t know Chris Silagy, we are sure all would agree that it remains important to celebrate the attributes and efforts of those who contribute to Cochrane in these special ways.

What were the judges looking for?
The selection panel is made up of Prize recipients. The criteria against which nominees are scored are:

• making an extraordinary contribution to Cochrane;
• making a contribution that exceeds the expectations of their employment;
• making a contribution to Cochrane that would not be recognised outside the scope of this Prize;
• identified by their peers as consistently contributing to a spirit of collaboration.

What are prize recipients awarded?
Chris Silagy Prize recipients are awarded $AUD 1000 from a memorial fund held by Monash University. In addition, they receive a certificate, and Cochrane meets expenses associated with them attending the next Colloquium. The Prize is awarded at the Colloquium each year.

For more information on The Chris Silagy Prize see here.