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July 2012 Newsletter
EPPI-Reviewer 4 Newsletter
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EPPI-Reviewer 4
    July 2012
   


EPPI-Reviewer 4
EPPI-Reviewer 4 is our software to support all types of literature review, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, 'narrative' reviews and meta-ethnographies.

You can create your free trial account and find full details about the program on the 
EPPI-Reviewer 4 gateway
EPPI-Reviewer


If you have created a trial account in the past and would like to try EPPI-Reviewer 4 again please contact us at EPPIsupport@ioe.ac.uk and we can restart your trial for you.




    What's new?
 
     


NewsletterEPPI-Reviewer newsletter

Welcome to the first EPPI-Reviewer 4 newsletter. The newsletter will be sent periodically and provide you with information on all things related to EPPI-Reviewer 4.

We have a What's new section that will let you know about any changes we have been making. There is also a How to section where we will highlight how to use some of the more commonly used functions in the software.

We have a Tips section to suggest ways we think will help you best use the software and a Fixes section that will let you know of any issues with the software we have identified and corrected.

We do not wish to clutter your inbox. If you prefer not to receive the newsletter you can send an email to EPPISupport@ioe.ac.uk with the text 'Stop sending newsletter' in the subject field. You can also remove yourself from the list of recipients on the Summary page of the 'EPPI-Reviewer 4 account and review manager'.

 
Example reviewExample reviews with each trial account

All trial accounts created after June 1 will now have a small example review copied to that account.

You are free to browse and edit this example review to explore many of the program's functions.

The example review contains imported items that have been coded using multiple coding tools. There are prebuilt coding reports that you can run and numeric outcome data has been entered so you can try the meta-analysis functions.

If you created your account before June 1 you can still get your example review through the 'EPPI-Reviewer 4 account and review manager' (which you can find on the EPPI-Reviewer 4 gateway). Just look under 'Utilities' / 'Example reviews'.

 
Copy codesetsCopy codesets across and within reviews

If you are carrying out multiple reviews and need to use the same codeset in more than one review, or updating an existing review and want to keep the original review intact as a permanent record, you do not want to have to recreate the tool each time.

We have now added a codeset copy function to the Utilities tab in the 'EPPI-Reviewer 4 account and review manager' (which you can find on the EPPI-Reviewer 4 gateway). Just look under 'Utilities' / 'Codesets'.

You just need to specify the source review, the codeset in the source review to copy, and the destination review. There are also some public access codesets available which include some commonly used quality assessment tools. If you have a coding tool that you think should be made public for others to use,  or would like to have another assessment tool added to the list, we can make it available. Just let us know at EPPISupport@ioe.ac.uk



    How to...
   


How to...set up coding assignments in the Collaborate tab

If you allocate items for coding, EPPI-Reviewer will keep track of which items you have and have not worked on.

The way to set up coding assignments is to identify the items to assign, specify the person(s) to do the coding and specify the codeset/coding tool you want that person to use.

Identify the items to assign
Allocation codeset You can create an allocation codeset to identify the items to allocate to a coder. In that codeset you can then create allocation codes. It is a good idea to give the codes easily identifiable names so you know what they represent. In the diagram, the code 'Group 1 T&A' represents items that will be assigned for screening based on Title and Abstract.

You can then assign this allocation code to the items you wish to allocate. This will allow you to identify the items when you are creating the work assignments easily.

Alternatively, you can click on the 'Assign documents to specified codes randomly' icon and have the system generate the allocation codes and randomly assign items to those codes. If you use this method, it is still a good idea to rename the allocation codes afterwards so they are easily identifiable when creating the work assignments.


Create the coding assignment

Assign workIn the Collaborate tab click on Create new and the Assign work window will appear. In the first dropdown menu select the allocation code that identifies the items that you want assign. In the second dropdown select the  code set that you want the coder to use while coding. Finally, in the third dropdown select the person you want to assign the items to and click Assign work.

If you are assigning items for double coding/screening you just need to repeat this process but in each case pick a different person. Also note that if you are double coding, only the codeset listed in the second dropdown should be set for multiple data entry.


The coding assignment
The coding assignmentsYou should now see the coding assignment you have just made. The system will now keep track of what items you have coded (Started column) and the items you still need to code (Remaining column). Clicking on the number in the column will display those items in the Documents tab.


Each month we highlight how to use some of the more commonly used functions. If there is a topic you would like us to cover please contact us at EPPISupport@ioe.ac.uk.


    Tips...

Fixes...
   


Tips

Screening tools - there are a number of advantages in restricting your screening tool / codeset to a single level hierarchy using exclude and include codes. This structure allows you to easily see the status of each item by running a frequency report. It also allows you to compare different reviewers' coding using a single 'Quick report' in the collaborate tab and avoids the user having to change hierarchy levels when using the 'Live comparison' function in the Document details window.

 

 
FixesWe test all changes that we make to EPPI-Reviewer but sometimes things slip past us or they need optimising.

We recently identified a scenario where bulk assigning a code to items using a code from a codeset set for multiple data entry, when the same code had already been assigned by the same user, but not completed, was causing multiple entries of the same code. It resulted in items being displayed multiple times in the Documents tab. The issue was identified and corrected without requiring a full software update.


    Our new EPPI Centre book!
   


An Introduction to Systematic Reviews

An introduction to Systematic ReviewsThis timely, engaging book provides an overview of the nature, logic, diversity and process of undertaking systematic reviews as part of evidence informed decision making.

A focused, accessible and technically up-to-date book, it covers the full breadth of approaches to reviews from statistical meta analysis to meta ethnography. It is ideal for anyone undertaking their own systematic review - providing all the necessary conceptual and technical background needed to make a good start on the process.

The book examines topics such as:
 - Approaches to reviewing
 - Getting started
 - Gathering and describing research
 - Appraising and synthesising data
 - Making use of reviews/models of research use.

Easy to read and logically structured, this book is essential reading for anyone doing systematic reviews. EPPI-Reviewer users should find the chapter on information management to be very relevant.

The book is available through most outlets including Sage (the publisher) and Amazon.



       
    You are receiving this EPPI-Reviewer 4 newsletter through your EPPI-Reviewer 4 user account. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please contact us at EPPISupport@ioe.ac.uk. You can also remove yourself from the list of recipients on the Summary page of the 'EPPI-Reviewer 4 account and review manager'.    


EPPI-Reviewer 4 is developed and maintained by the EPPI Centre at the Social Science Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. To find out more about the work of the EPPI Centre as well as information about how to do systematic reviews, please visit our website http://eppi.ioe.ac.uk. EPPI Centre IOE
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