Developing methods to bring together research evidence to inform important questions in policy, practice and research.
Founding Director: Professor Ann Oakley
Director: Professor David Gough
The Evidence for Policy & Practice Information Centre (EPPI Centre) was created in 1995 and is part of the Social Science Research Unit (SSRU) in the Social Research Institute.
We study both methods of research synthesis and use of research evidence. Our work includes:
- developing methods for reviewing research literature systematically, including mixed method multicomponent reviews and stakeholder engagement in the review process
- collaborating and co-authoring with researchers new to systematic reviewing to develop their methodological skills
- authoring systematic reviews across academic disciplines and policy sectors
- developing and maintaining EPPI Reviewer: a comprehensive online software tool for managing and analysing data in for all types of systematic review
- investigating and developing machine learning and natural language processing technologies to make systematic reviews more efficient
- studying how research is used in the wider world
- leading short courses or workshops
- offering accredited Master’s courses
- supervising doctoral students
- authoring methodology papers, a textbook and a four volume library edited collection.
Find out more on the EPPI Centre website.
About us
- Background
Systematic reviews
Reviewing research literature systematically allows important decisions to be informed by a critical assessment of the relevant evidence. Systematic reviews use rigorous and transparent research methods to review the research evidence - to clarify what is known in relation to different research questions. This is in contrast to more traditional literature reviews that do not have explicit methods and so their conclusions may be less reliable.
Reviews (just like all research) vary in terms of the type and breadth of question asked, the paradigm of research, and the specific methods used. While some reviews draw on research to explore a position or develop an argument, others adopt clear and systematic methods to answer an empirical research question. Broad review questions may lead to multi-component reviews with sub-questions addressing different aspects of an issue and using different synthesis methods.
Areas of review activity
Our centre's first reviews in the 1990s were conducted in the area of health promotion. However, the underlying principles of systematic reviews applies to all types of questions and topic areas and our work now includes reviews in education, social care, public health, employment, crime, religious studies, social and economic development, environmental science and other areas of applied social science.
We have been at the forefront of using methods such as systematic mapping (since 1996), mixed methods multicomponent reviews and thematic synthesis (since 2003) and automation of the review process. We also support other groups by providing reviewing tools (including EPPI Reviewer software) and collaborate in undertaking specific reviews.
Our pioneering methodology work was reflected in the EPPI Centre’s status as the Methods for Research Synthesis Node of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods.
Research on decision making
The EPPI Centre also studies the relationship between research and decision-making within an ‘evidence ecosystem’ of: primary research production; synthesis of research; engagement with users of evidence; and the consideration of research evidence in policy, practice and personal decision making.
- Our staff
Founding Director
Director of Centre
- David Gough, Professor of Evidence Informed Policy and Practice
Deputy Directors
- Sandy Oliver, Professor of Public Policy
- James Thomas, Professor of Social Research and Policy
Associate Directors
- Dylan Kneale, Principal Research Fellow
- Mark Newman, Reader in Evidence-informed Policy and Practice in Education and Social Policy
- Alison O’Mara-Eves, Associate Professor
- Rebecca Rees, Professor of Social Policy
- Katy Sutcliffe, Associate Professor
- Ian Shemilt, Associate Professor of Evidence Synthesis Methodology
- Janice Tripney, Associate Professor of Social Policy
Staff
- Mukdarut Bangpan, Associate Professor
- Melissa Bond, EPPI Reviewer Support Officer & Trainer
- Kelly Dickson, Research Officer
- Preethy D’Souza, Research Associate
- Zak Ghouze, Software and Information Technology Officer
- Sergio Graziosi, Lead Developer and Information Systems Manager
- Kate Hinds, Research Officer
- Meena Khatwa, Research Officer
- Irene Kwan, Research Officer
- Sarah Lester, Research Officer
- Patrick O’Driscoll, Senior Programmer
- Lionel Openshaw, Senior Communications & Design Officer
- Michelle Richardson, Research Officer
- Karen Schucan Bird, Research Officer
- Jonathan Sharples, Professorial Research Associate
- Ian Shemilt, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Evidence Synthesis Methodology
- Antonia Simon, Research Officer
- Claire Stansfield, Information Officer
- Ruth Stewart, Senior Research Officer
- Gillian Stokes, Research Officer
- Carol Vigurs, Research Officer
Study with us
- Degree courses
Master's degrees
- Social Policy and Social Research MSc
- Social Policy and Social Research (with Systematic Reviews) MSc
Postgraduate research
We supervise post graduate research study that develops or uses methods in systematic reviewing, research synthesis and the study of the use of research. For more information, please see the Social Science MPhil/PhD.
To discuss proposals for postgraduate study, such as seeking potential supervisors within the EPPI-Centre, please contact individual members of staff or David Gough at david.gough@ucl.ac.uk
- Tailored short courses
We are often commissioned to provide tailored short courses on systematic reviews in London or anywhere in the world. For more information, please contact Dr Mark Newman: mark.newman@ucl.ac.uk
See also:
Outputs
- Publications
We develop methodology for systematic research synthesis, undertake syntheses of evidence from various study types, study how research is used, and collaborate with and provide training for external groups and organisations conducting systematic reviews.
Examples of our publications
Systematic reviews textbook
- Gough D, Oliver S, Thomas J (2017). An Introduction to Systematic Reviews. 2nd edition. London: Sage Publications Ltd, 304 pages. ISBN: 9781849201810
How reviews vary
- Gough D, Thomas J, Oliver S, (2019). Clarifying differences between reviews within evidence ecosystems. Systematic Reviews Journal, 8, 170.
Stakeholder engagement
- Stakeholder engagement: Oliver S, Roche C, Stewart R, Bangpan M, Dickson K, Pells K, Cartwright N, Hargreaves J, Gough D (2018). Stakeholder Engagement for Development Impact Evaluation and Evidence Synthesis. Centre of Excellence for Development Impact and Learning (CEDIL) Inception paper
Causal chain analysis
- Kneale D, Thomas J, Bangpan, M, Waddington H, Gough D (2018). Conceptualising causal pathways in systematic reviews of international development interventions through adopting a causal chain analysis approach. Journal of Development Effectiveness. 422-437.
Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA)
- Thomas J, O’Mara-Eves A and Brunton G (2014). Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in systematic reviews of complex interventions: a worked example. Systematic reviews 3(1): 67.
Mixed methods reviews
- Thomas J, Harden A, Oakley A, Oliver S, Sutcliffe K, Rees R, Brunton G, Kavanagh J (2004). Integrating qualitative research with trials in systematic reviews: an example from public health. British Medical Journal 328: 1010-1012.
Systematic maps
- Gough D, Kiwan D, Sutcliffe S, Simpson D, Houghton N (2003). A systematic map and synthesis review of the effectiveness of personal development planning for improving student learning. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit. ISBN 0954203666
Research on research use
- Langer L, Tripney J, Gough D (2016). The Science of Using Science: Researching the Use of Research Evidence in Decision-Making. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, IOE.
See more
See a full list of publications.
- EPPI-Reviewer
EPPI-Reviewer is the EPPI-Centre's comprehensive online software tool for research synthesis. It is a web-based application for managing and analysing data in literature reviews and has been developed for all types of systematic review such as meta-analysis, framework synthesis and thematic synthesis.
It incorporates the latest machine learning and automation technologies, aimed at reducing manual workload, as well as meta-analysis features powered by R software.
EPPI-Reviewer is part of the suite of tools for evidence synthesis used by the Cochrane Collaboration and powers the Evidence Gaps Maps project of the Campbell Collaboration. It can be used for complex types of review, where flexibility and user-driven workflows are a necessity.
- Find out more about on EPPI-Reviewer 4 or contact: EPPISupport@ucl.ac.uk
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