Phoenix runs Systematic Review Workshop with UNAM

The Phoenix Project has been the catalyst for bringing together staff from Cardiff University and the University of Namibia to deliver a four-day systematic review course, which will enhance library-researcher liaison in UNAM.

The course, delivered by Cardiff University’s Dr Alison Weightman (a systematic review specialist) and UNAM library staff, concentrated on searching and appraisal skills for systematic review. Each of the twenty participants worked on a research topic, decided in advance of the workshop with a postgraduate student or member of UNAM academic staff.

The programme was agreed via Skype and email correspondence during the early part of 2016 with final preparations during the weekend before the course. In advance, Alison was provided with real life local research scenarios and based the practical exercises on these, which contributed to active participation and understanding of the new and sometimes very difficult topics. After three days of teaching and group-work, the fourth day was an IT-lab based session, focusing on how to develop searches. The course was evaluated via pre- and post ‘SWOT’ analyses

Currently, Alison is working actively with four librarians to develop and finalise search strategies. By early autumn they should be able to assess the feasibility of a second workshop with UNAM in 2017.