Systematic Reviews provide a method for searching for, assessing and then synthesising available research on a given topic. In criminal justice they are used to assess whether particular interventions and approaches to reducing re-offending are effective. The seminar provides an introduction to Systematic Reviews: what they are; how to read them and where to find them. It also covers the related topics of Rapid Evidence Assessments and meta-analysis.

This seminar is designed for senior practitioners, managers and policy-makers working in the UK criminal justice system. It assumes no prior knowledge of research methods and all information is presented in a non-technical, jargon free format.

The seminar leaders are Chris Fox who is Professor of Evaluation and Policy Analysis at Manchester Metropolitan and an expert on evidence-based policy and practice in criminal justice and Andrew Smith (Senior Research Associate) who runs the Reducing Reoffending website.