Workshop type: Discussion.

Objective: To discuss implications for review group editorial bases of the major revision of the Cochrane Handbook.

Summary:
The Cochrane Handbook is undergoing a major update, with new and revised methodological guidance for review authors. Among the main changes are a new tool for assessing risk of bias (methodological quality) in included studies, the new ‘Summary of findings’ tables, and new definitions for updated reviews. There will also be new material on addressing reporting biases, economic issues, adverse effects, non-randomized studies, statistical topics and many other issues. We will review some of the major developments, in preparation for a discussion of the implications of these changes for review group editorial bases. We will discuss  issues such as training of editorial staff, training of review authors, methodological expertise within review groups and workload of re view authors. The workshop offers an opportunity for questions to be asked of the Handbook editors.

Intended audience: (i) Co-ordinating Editors; (ii) Review Group Co-ordinators; (iii) editors; (iv) members of Advisory Groups (particularly the Handbook Advisory Group, Quality Advisory Group, and Publishing Policy Group).

Technical level expected of participants: In termediate.