Evidence Synthesis

The Evidence Synthesis seminar is organised by the strategic research area BECC.

Part I: Scientific perspectives on epistemic uncertainty

7 November 9.30 – 12. Medical Ethics, Lund University. This seminar was organised together with the program Science and proven experience (VBE).

Background: Epistemic uncertainty is an important component of scientific evidence. This is clearly demonstrated in practically every publication on risk assessment published in recent years as well as in discussions generally on what scientific evidence one needs in order to make practical decisions. At the same time the question of what scientific uncertainty is, or what comprises scientific uncertainty, is not settled. 

In order to treat uncertainties in a systematic manner one needs models representing this uncertainty.

The purpose of this seminar is to discuss models for identifying and managing epistemic uncertainty.

Format: Short talks on the topic using the recent paper by van der Bles et al on “Communicating uncertainty in facts, numbers and science” as a starting point.

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.181870

They provide a model for epistemic uncertainty distinguishing between direct and indirect uncertainty. The purpose of the seminar is to test this model from a theoretical point of view and from practice. Participants are encouraged to comment on the paper and contribute with perspectives on a scientific perspective on epistemic uncertainty or examples from practice.

Part II: Introduction to Evidence-based decision making

What do we mean by evidence synthesis? Is not that what we as researchers do all the time or is it something more specific? This seminar will introduce how evidence synthesis is currently viewed under so called frameworks for evidence-based decision making.

This seminar is the second part of a seminar series on Evidence Synthesis organised by BECC. The seminar is held within a master course and consists of a lecture by Ullrika Sahlin followed by a practical exercise. 

Sign up to the seminar on the 18th of November by sending a mail to Ullrika. Note that the number of places are limited.

9 – 12 Lecture Biosfären (Sal 220), Geocentrum II

This lecture begins with an overview of the history of evidence-based decision making and how it is organised. We will study how evidence is characterised and rated according to different guidance documents for evidence based decision making. I will then introduce the method of meta-analysis, ranging from simple to complex multi-parameter analyses. Finally, I will talk about what different frameworks say about the communication of conclusions from a synthesis.   

13 – 17 Exercise Altocumulus (Sal 215), Geocentrum II

This will be a practical exercise on meta-analysis and meta-regression. The exercise start with a recapitulation of the mixed linear models, common type of response variables and graphs used in meta-analysis. The exercises are done in R. Bring your own laptop with R installed.

 

 

Part III: Shaping evidence synthesis 

Early 2020 TBA

October 4, 2019

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