Courses / Department of Life Sciences

Specialization Course – Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis in Ecology

General Objectives of the Course

Often there is an apparent conflict among results derived from multiple studies addressing the same question as these may differ in experimental choices, be time and/or space limited, and have small sample and/or effect size. Reviews can help integrating disparate information, but only if performed in a systematic manner. A systematic review addresses clearly formulated questions/hypotheses by using systematic and reproducible methods to identify, select and critically appraise all relevant studies, to extract and analyze the data from the selected studies, and to report the methods and results; often they use meta-analysis as a statistical tool for combining the results of selected studies, considering study precision, to allow general conclusions and evaluation of result consistency across studies. The general goal of this course is to disseminate the use of meta-analysis in ecology, providing students with tools that allow them to assess the quality of meta-analyses, interpret their results, and carry out high-quality meta-analyses.

Admission Requirements

Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in Biology, Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Geography, Geology, other Life Sciences.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Mode of Study

Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and/or English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The final classification of the course will be obtained through the average of the classifications obtained (i) in the evaluation of the oral presentation of the meta-analysis carried out during the 2 weeks of face-to-face work, taking place at the end of the second week of the course (0 – 20 values; weighting 60%), and (ii) in the evaluation of a written report (in the style of a scientific paper) of the referred meta-analysis, taking place at the end of the fourth week of the course (0 – 20 values; 40% weighting). Students who obtain the minimum final classification of 10 points are considered approved.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

It is intended that students acquire: (i) Instrumental skills, e.g., skills in analysis and synthesis, organization and planning, oral and written communication, use of computer tools in the scope of bibliographic search and meta-analysis, management of information, decision-making ability, problem solving. (ii) Personal and interpersonal skills, e.g., skills in group work and in interdisciplinary teamwork, critical thinking and understanding of specialists’ language. (iii) Systemic skills, e.g., skills in autonomous learning, searching, practical application of theoretical knowledge, planning, self-criticism and self-assessment. It is also intended to promote creativity, care about rigor and quality.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The recognition of prior learning is carried out according to the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Rules of creation and operation of non-degree courses at the University of Coimbra.

Study Programme

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis in Ecology
Academic year
2021-2022

Course Type
Non Degree Course

Qualification Awarded: Diploma/Certificate

Duration: 1 Month(s)

ECTS Credits: 6.0

Applications

Call for Applications

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