3.5 Methods Groups

Methods Groups have evolved as a means of meeting The Cochrane Collaboration’s need for methodological advice. Initially, groups of experts were called together for workshops on an ad hoc basis to provide guidance on specific questions such as which statistical methods to use in Cochrane Reviews, what information regarding costs should be included in reviews, and how to collect and use individual patient data in reviews. The first of these workshops was convened by the UK Cochrane Centre before The Cochrane Collaboration came into existence. It quickly became apparent that there was a need for ongoing methodological advice and support. Moreover, groups of people with common methodological interests came together in various ways and expressed a desire to contribute to The Cochrane Collaboration on an ongoing basis. Methods Groups were initially registered informally and driven almost entirely by existing enthusiasm and interests. Since then, steps have been taken to help Methods Groups to contribute in effective and efficient ways towards the aims of The Cochrane Collaboration, and they have evolved from informal networks to formal Cochrane entities. In 2009, the Collaboration began implementing a recommendation of its 2008-09 Strategic Review to formalise training and methods development, as additional purposes of the Collaboration. Methods Groups have a key role in producing activities and outputs associated with this training and methods development.

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