Bhubaneswar, Jul 29: The SUM Nursing College, a constituent institution of the Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University, recently organised a one-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on "Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" to strengthen research capabilities among faculty members. The programme witnessed the participation of 70 faculty members from the institution.

The primary objective of the FDP was to enhance the participants' understanding and research skills in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which are regarded as essential methodologies for generating high-quality evidence in scientific research.

The programme featured two scientific sessions focusing on various aspects of evidence-based research. The first session introduced participants to the fundamentals of systematic reviews, highlighting their importance in evidence-based research and explaining how they differ from traditional literature reviews. Faculty members were also trained on framing research questions using the PICO framework, developing research protocols, designing effective literature search strategies, and selecting studies based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The inaugural scientific session was conducted by Dr. Ketan Kumar, Department of Paediatrics, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, who delivered detailed presentations on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the complete process of conducting systematic reviews, and best practices for literature searching.

The second session was led by Prof. Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Das, Department of Paediatrics, AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He discussed the interpretation of meta-analysis results, reporting standards, strategies for publishing research findings, and the common methodological challenges researchers encounter while conducting systematic reviews.

The programme was inaugurated by SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, who highlighted the growing importance of evidence-based research in advancing scientific knowledge. He encouraged faculty members and researchers to adopt systematic review and meta-analysis methodologies to generate high-quality scientific evidence and contribute to impactful research.

The FDP concluded with an interactive discussion session, during which participants raised queries related to software applications, statistical analysis, publication strategies, and practical challenges associated with conducting systematic reviews. The programme provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and skill development, reinforcing SOA's commitment to promoting research excellence and academic innovation.