Table 2 Stakeholder training stages, beneficiaries and descriptions of the purposes of different training opportunities, along with suggestions of suitable training media
Training summary and purpose | Stakeholders engaged in training | Stage of the evidence synthesis process | Suggested training media |
|---|---|---|---|
1. End-user and public engagement Providing skills relating to stakeholder analysis, conflict management, and participatory methods | Reviewer | Scoping and question formulation, Communicating outcomes | In person or online (training courses) |
2. Systematic review and map methods In depth methodological training regarding each step of the systematic review and map process; question formulation, scoping, searching, screening, data extraction and coding, critical appraisal, synthesis, report writing Anything from a basic overview of systematic review and map methods to advanced details on methodology, provided as a valuable transferable skill | Reviewer Students | Planning (scoping, protocol development) and conduct Any (not linked to a specific review) | In person or online (training courses) In person or on-line (presentations, training courses) |
3. Preparation of visualisations and communication media Production of readily digestible data visualisations Training in development of communication materials tailored for specific stakeholder groups, and in communication skills | Reviewer Reviewers | Report preparation Communication | Written (technical summaries), in person or online (workshops, training courses) Written (technical summaries), in person or online (workshops, training courses) |
4. Value of systematic reviews/map methods Advocacy of systematic review and map methods as a funded activity, source of evidence in decision-making, or research endeavor. Explanation of limitations of traditional reviews relative to systematic review/map methods Giving an overview of the need for and methods involved in systematic reviews and maps Giving an overview of the need for and detailed methods involved in systematic reviews and maps Giving an overview of the methods involved in systematic reviews and maps and how to interpret the review findings | All stakeholders (particularly review funders, prospective reviewers, policy stakeholders and practitioners) Subject experts, researchers, policy specialists, practitioners, review advisory groups Peer-reviewers End-users (policy stakeholders, practitioners) | Any (not linked to a specific review) Question formulation Peer-review (protocol and final report) Communicating outcomes | Written (flyers, factsheets, non-technical summaries), online (websites, videos), in person (presentations, workshops, short courses) Written (flyers, factsheets, non-technical summaries), in person (workshops), online (websites, videos) Written (technical summaries) Written (flyers, factsheets, non-technical summaries), online (websites, videos), in person (presentations, workshops) |
5. Technical critique of review methods Critical research commentaries in the academic literature can raise awareness in the research community regarding misunderstandings about systematic methods | Researcher community | Any (not linked to a specific review) | Written (research articles) |