This seminar is about seeking a balance in research between the pressures of maintaining rigour, with the importance of delivering timely and useful information to decision-makers. Dr Ruth Stewart will discuss the evidence-based approach to informing policy making, and talk specifically about systematic reviews, including what systematic reviews in development look like and how they differ from systematic reviews in health care where the approach originates. She will look at the importance of mapping literature before embarking on a systematic review (particularly when covering a new area), the practicalities of doing reviews, including common pitfalls and pragmatic ways in which reviews can be done more quickly, in a more focused way and with implementation in mind. Dr Stewart will also introduce the work of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence’s Johannesburg Centre hosted by the University of Johannesburg.
Download and view the presentation
Ruth Stewart is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Anthropological Research, University of Johannesburg, South Africa as well as a Researcher, Evidence for Policy and Practice Information Centre [EPPI-Centre], Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, UK. She is also the Audit Manager (Methods), National Audit Office, UK, Editor, Cochrane Collaboration Consumers and Communication Review Group and Co-Lead, Collaboration for Environmental Evidence’s Johannesburg Centre [CEE Joburg].
Dr Stewart’s work at the Universities of London and Johannesburg combine evidence-informed decision-making and participatory approaches and spans the boundaries between research, policy and practice across development, the environment, health and education. Based in London, she has collaborated with colleagues in South Africa since 1998. She has conducted systematic reviews using a range of methods, from more traditional Cochrane Collaboration approaches, to the broader EPPI-Centre approach.
Date: Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Time: 12:15 FOR 12:30 to 13:30
Kindly RSVP by 12 May 2012
Cape Town : HSRC, 12th Floor, Plein Park Building (Opposite Revenue Office), Plein Street, Cape Town. Contact Vuyokazi Ngxubaza, Tel (021) 4668004, Fax (021) 461 0299, or VNgxubaza@hsrc.ac.za, Cell: 082 0508453
Durban : First floor HSRC board room, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor, Contact Ridhwaan Khan, Tel (031) 242 5400, cell: 083 788 2786 or RKhan@hsrc.ac.za
Pretoria : HSRC Video Conference, 1st floor HSRC Library Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Arlene Grossberg, Tel: (012) 302 2811, e-mail: acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za