Module: Search strategy (incl. systematic review)

The training module 'Search strategy' as part of the 'Faculty Research Training Program' includes the following training courses.

The learning objectives of this module are to learn more about different types of reviews and discover which tools you can implement to facilitate the (systematic) review process.

Doctoral School Course: Conducting and publishing a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Aim: During 20h course, you will learn how to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis and to increase your chances of getting published
  • Format: Interactive session
  • Guest speakers: Nele Pauwels and Ellen Deschepper
  • Organisers: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG) and Biostatistics Unit FGE
  • Language: Dutch or English
  • When: Sept-Oct ; Nov-Dec 2026
  • Where: on campus (course day 1, 3 and 5) and online (course day 2 and 4)
  • More info and sign up

Systematic search of scientific literature

  • Aim: Learn how to systematically search for scientific literature in various databases. More information on this session can be found on the KCGG website: https://www.kcgg.ugent.be/en/blits-2/
  • Format: Online information session
  • Guest speaker: Muguet Koobasi, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: Dutch
  • Where: Online
  • When: Tuesday, 6 October 2026 from 12:00-13:00
  • More info and sign up
  • Past session: Slides 10/02/2026 & Recording 10/02/2026

How to choose your review type: systematic review, scoping review, rapid review and more

  • Aim: Learn about the differences between the review types to make the right decision for your own research project. More information on this session can be found on the KCGG website: https://www.kcgg.ugent.be/en/blits-2/
  • Format: Online information session
  • Guest speaker: Nele Pauwels, Knowledge Center for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: Dutch 
  • When: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 from 12:00-13:00
  • Where: Online
  • More info and sign up
  • Past sessions:

Knowledge 2 Connect: Practical perspectives on Rspace

  • Aim: Learn, share, discuss about the UGent Electronic Lab Notebook
  • Format: Knowledge 2 Connect seminar
  • Guest speaker(s): Laura Standaert (UGent)
  • Organiser(s): Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: English
  • When: Friday, 16 October 2026 from 12:00-13:30
  • Where: Stille Ruimte KCGG (ground floor building K3 [entrance 42]
  • More info and sign up

AI-tools for searching scientific literature

Reference management in EndNote 

  • Aim: Learn the basics of working with the reference management software EndNote and discover practical tips for efficiently organizing and managing your references and bibliographies.  More information on this session can be found on the KCGG website: https://www.kcgg.ugent.be/en/blits-2/
  • Format: Online information session
  • Guest speaker: Marijke Salden, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: Dutch
  • When: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 from 12:00-13:00
  • Where: Online
  • More info and sign up
  • Past session: Slides 12/02/2026 - Recording 12/02/2026 part 1 - part 2 - part 3  

Reference management in Zotero

  • Aim: Learn the basics of using the open-source reference management software Zotero and discover tips and tricks for efficiently organising and managing your references and bibliographies. More information on this session can be found on the KCGG website: https://www.kcgg.ugent.be/en/blits-2/.
  • Format: Online information session
  • Guest speaker: Marijke Salden, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: Dutch
  • When: Thursday, 29 October 2026 from 12:00-13:00
  • Where: Online 
  • More info and sign up

Feedback on your search strategy

  • Aim: Receive personalised feedback and advice on your search strategy. Participants are asked to send their search strategy by email approximately two weeks before the session on the KCGG template so that it can be reviewed in a timely manner. More information about this session can be found on the KCGG website: https://www.kcgg.ugent.be/en/blits-2/
  • Format: Online workshop
  • Guest speaker: Muguet Koobasi, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: Dutch
  • When: Thursday, 5 November 2026 from 12:00-13:00
  • Where: Online via Teams (link sent after signing up and sending the search strategy)
  • More info and sign up 
  • Past session: As this is an interactive session tailored to participants, no slides or recording are available. If you would like feedback on your search strategy, please complete our form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible via the English form or the Dutch form

Rayyan.ai for systematic reviews

  • Aim: During this demo and workshop you will get the opportunity to get to know the tool through an exercise, so that you can start screening your literature as part of your own systematic review.
  • Format: online demo and workshop in small group
  • Guest speaker: Nele Pauwels, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: English
  • When: Monday, 16 November 2026 from 10:00 - 12:00
  • Where: Online
  • More info and sign up

Systematic review: risk of bias and quality assessment 

  • Aim: Thanks to this session, you will learn which tools to use for which type of systematic review and we will introduce the Cochrane Organization's Risk of Bias Tool and GRADE.
  • Format: online interactive session
  • Guest speaker: Nele Pauwels, Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: English
  • When: Monday, 23 November 2026 from 14:00 - 15:00
  • Where: Online
  • More info and sign up

Knowledge 2 Connect: High-quality systematic reviews: key steps, tools and resources

  • Aim: In this seminar, Nele Pauwels and Muguet Koobasi will provide a concise overview of the key steps, tools and resources involved in conducting a high-quality systematic review
  • Format: Knowledge 2 Connect seminar
  • Guest speaker(s): Nele Pauwels (KCGG) and Muguet Koobasi (KCGG)
  • Organiser: Knowledge Centre for Health Ghent (KCGG)
  • Language: English
  • When: Friday, 5 February 2027 from 12:00-13:30
  • Where: Stille Ruimte KCGG (ground floor building K3 [entrance 42]
  • More info and sign up

More training options