‘Mobile phones cause brain cancer’, ‘Chocolate is better for you than fruit’; the media is constantly full of claims about the potential health benefits or risks associated with particular treatments, foods or substances. It is often difficult to know what to believe. This day is for members of the public who want to make sense of research evidence, and to assess the reliability of the evidence behind health-related headlines.

What is the goal of the workshop?

The workshop will give you an introduction to research and the tools and skills needed to find research evidence relating to health and assess its reliability.

Is this the right workshop for me?

This workshop is for members of the public who want to understand research evidence. No prior knowledge of research is required. The workshop may be of particular relevance to those who are interested in contributing to research through Patient and Public Involvement.

What is the format of the workshop?

We recognise that everyone has different starting points. We will tailor our approach to accommodate your needs .The day will be informal, with plenty of time for discussion and the opportunity to gain practical experience. The number of participants will be limited to 20. The workshop will start at 10.30 and finish by 16.30. There will be breaks for coffee and tea and lunch will be provided. We will reimburse travel expenses.

What will the workshop cover?

• Why is it important to understand research evidence?
• Different research study designs and their uses
• How to frame a research/search question
• How to search for the evidence
• Assessing the strength of the evidence

Trainers

The workshop will be delivered by Dr Andy Gibson, Professor of Patient and Public Involvement, and Abby Sabey, Senior Lecturer in Research Methods.