Study plan - Systematic Review

Systematic reviews, often accompanied by meta-analyses or meta-syntheses, are becoming increasingly common in all fields of health science as a way of summarizing data from multiple studies. This programme will provide a step-by-step guide for performing systematic reviews, including developing a protocol for a systematic review, formulating a search strategy, literature search selecting studies, extracting data, critically appraising primary studies, synthesizing data, interpreting findings, and reporting and disseminating systematic reviews.

A candidate who has completed the education has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

- has advanced knowledge about conducting a systematic review as an independent study involving both qualitative and quantitative studies in health science and practice.

- has thorough and specialized insights regarding each step of developing a protocol for performing a systematic review with meta-analysis or meta-synthesis.

- can effectively identify and analyze academical and clinical challenges that could be solved by a systematic review.

Skills

The candidate

- can utilize and deal critically with various databases to perform a systematic review.

- can develop research questions suited for systematic review, plan to formulate search strategies, screen and select relevant studies, extract data, appraise critically, synthetize, interpret and report the findings.

- can independently carry out a limited research or development project (mini review) under supervision using systematic review as a method.

General competence

The candidate

- demonstrates an ability to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of systematic review, concerning the utilization of findings for further innovation within clinical practice.

– masters the language and terminology of systematic review.

– can communicate about academic issues, analyses, and conclusions within systematic review.

Admission requires a completed bachelor's degree or an equivalent level of education.

English language proficiency.

Documentation for financial ability for- non-EU/EEA applicants. View documentation requirements here.

The course equips the candidates with essential skills in conducting systematic literature reviews, an increasingly sought-after competence across academia, public sector development, and evidence-based policy work. This expertise opens up future employment opportunities in research institutions, consultancy firms, innovation projects, and roles that require critical analysis and synthesis of complex knowledge bases to inform decision-making and strategic planning.

Digital teaching sessions spring 2027:

Week 4: January 25.-27th 2027.

Week 7: February 15th 2027.

(Nord University reserves the right to make changes).

No tuition fees. Costs for semester registration and course literature apply. Exception: Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must pay tuition fees, Tuition fees for international students. To take part in digital sessions, students are required to have a computer or laptop with a functioning camera and a reliable internet connection.

Compound assessment (SV), grading scale: Passed/not passed.

Compulsory participation (OD), grading scale: Approved/not approved.

Assessment task 1 (AK), grading scale: Approved/not approved.

Assessment task 2 (AK), grading scale: Approved/not approved.

Written assignment (OP), grading scale: Passed/not passed.

The programme is evaluated via student questionnaire, as well as by the programme director. The evaluations form a part of the University's quality assurance system.

Refer to applicable legislation, regulations and related guidelines

Systematic Review

Spring 2026 (1. semester)