Step 2
Who will be involved?
It is very difficult to perform a systematic review alone. The highest quality reviews will have input from experts in
Many people at UJ have already performed systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and may be able to provide informal advice and support (see below). These people are happy to be approached with specific questions or for general pointers not answered here, but be aware that they may not have much time available. Supervisors and collaborators should also be able to help. Contacting a librarian at the early stage of the systematic review is also useful to help identify the extent of the literature and to formulate a search strategy.
Link to published systematic reviews and meta-analyses by Conchrane Libray: Click here
LAURENZ LANGER
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS SPECIALIST
Laurenz is an Evidence Synthesis Specialist at the University of Johannesburg’s Africa Centre for Evidence (ACE). Laurenz leads ACE’s work in supporting national government decision-makers to integrate evidence from research synthesis (e.g. evidence maps, systematic reviews, meta-analyses) in the formulation and design of public policies and programmes. He has supported the South African Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for three years on its piloting and development of policy-relevant evidence maps as a method to inform decision-making in the public sector.
Laurenz has conducted a range of systematic reviews and evidence maps, including reviews published by the Campbell Collaboration and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence. He is the lead author of the Science of Using Science Report, a UCL EPPI-Centre systematic review of what works to increase evidence use and serves as an Associate Editor at the Campbell Collaboration. Laurenz holds a PhD from the University College London and a BA degree in Development Studies from the University of Johannesburg. His research interests include evidence synthesis, decision-making in the public sector, and behavioural economics and social network analysis to support policy implementation.