Bhubaneswar, July 29: Seventy faculty members and researchers participated in a day-long Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on ‘Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’ organised by the SUM Nursing College, Faculty of Nursing, of SOA Deemed to be University on Wednesday. The programme aimed at strengthening the research capabilities of faculty members by enhancing their understanding of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which play a crucial role in evidence-based research.
The FDP featured two scientific sessions led by experts from AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The inaugural session was conducted by Dr. Ketan Kumar of the Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, who introduced participants to the fundamentals of systematic reviews.
He highlighted their significance in evidence-based research, explained how they differ from traditional literature reviews, and elaborated on framing research questions using the PICO framework, protocol development, literature search strategies, and study selection based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Dr. Kumar also discussed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and explained the step-by-step workflow involved in conducting a systematic review.
The second scientific session was conducted by Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Das, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He focused on reporting standards, interpretation of meta-analysis findings, publication strategies, and the common methodological challenges researchers encounter while conducting systematic reviews.
Inaugurating the programme, SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda stressed the growing importance of evidence-based research and urged faculty members and researchers to adopt systematic review and meta-analysis methodologies for generating high-quality scientific evidence that can support informed decision-making in healthcare and academia.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants sought expert guidance on software applications, statistical interpretation of research findings, and publication strategies for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The organisers said the FDP provided valuable insights and practical knowledge, enabling participants to enhance the quality and impact of their future research.
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