Welcome to the 14th Cochrane Methods report compiled by the Central Executive Team to provide an overview of the key methodological activities in Cochrane for 2024–2025. 

The report highlights the importance of our methods community, particularly Cochrane Methods Groups and their members, in continuing to improve the relevance, quality and timeliness of Cochrane reviews. Below are the highlights of Cochrane’s main initiatives:

Cochrane is adapting to the evolving methodological needs of the evidence synthesis community

Cochrane’s 2025-2030 scientific strategy highlights the need for diverse evidence synthesis methods to address key research priorities informed by the wider community. Cochrane guidance is evolving to include new or updated methods, and the Handbook portfolio is growing to support authors in diverse evidence synthesis methods.  

• Cochrane launched new random-effects methods in RevMan which included a new method for estimating the between-study (heterogeneity) variance, calculating the confidence interval for the summary effect, and adding prediction intervals to aid in interpreting random-effects meta-analysis findings.
• Cochrane, in collaboration with organizations across the field, is leading the way for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in evidence synthesis (RAISE).  
• Cochrane, the Campbell Collaboration, JBI and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, formed a new AI Methods Group in February 2025 to improve AI literacy across the four organizations. Current efforts include exploring acceptable AI accuracy standards and defining frameworks for AI tool developers on disclosure and transparency.  
• The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions includes updates informed by the expertise of diverse Cochrane Methods Groups. Chapter 4 was updated to reflect the most up-to-date research, tools, and best practices. Chapter 10 includes best practices for using the random-effects model in RevMan. Chapter 13 contains guidance for assessing risk of bias due to missing evidence (ROB-ME) in meta-analysis. A new technical supplement is now available for Chapter 20 on the integrated full systematic review of economic evidence as a methodological framework.
• In addition to Cochrane’s Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy, the Cochrane and Campbell Handbooks of Qualitative Evidence Synthesis and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Prognosis Studies should both be available in hardcopy in 2026. And finally, a new Cochrane Handbooks of Rapid Reviews has recently been initiated with more details to follow in due course.

Cochrane methods highlight equity and diversity

Since 2024, all new Cochrane reviews include sections on equity considerations and patient and public involvement. To support this endeavor, Cochrane’s review template includes reporting guidance. The Quality Assurance team within the Central Editorial Service worked closely with members of the Equity Thematic Group and Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group to refine guidance for the template. Additionally, the Methods Support Unit supported a web clinic on ‘Equity in all Cochrane reviews’ and Cochrane Interactive Learning now includes an updated module on ‘Health equity in systematic reviews.’

The Methods Support Unit (MSU) continues working to support Cochrane authors and editors

MSU includes Statistics and Methods Editors who provide support and advice to the Cochrane community on request. A large part of their work involves conducting peer reviews of complex reviews for Cochrane’s Central Editorial Service, but we also answer queries on many different statistical and methodological topics. Since our launch in 2019, we have responded to over 1750 requests for help.

As above, MSU organizes training on methods and statistics topics in our web clinics series, as well as Q&A sessions on topics such as Summary of Findings tables. The Methods and Statistics Tutorials series offers guidance on topics that authors and editors often find difficult.  

We offer guidance across Cochrane’s Central Executive Team and participate in projects such as the implementation of the new random-effects methods in RevMan. In 2024, we carried out methods research to evaluate how Cochrane authors were incorporating evidence from non-randomized studies of interventions in their reviews.

Other methods activities in Cochrane

• Cochrane continues to deliver high-quality, accessible training for global audiences to address knowledge gaps in evidence synthesis methods. Here are examples of some resources developed between 2024–2025:
  • MSU developed and piloted an online ‘Foundations of Network Meta-Analysis' course. The course will be launched in early 2026. As this will be entry-level training the Comparing Multiple Interventions Methods Group did not provide formal input.  
  • Cochrane Learning Live is offering a series of webinars on statistics analysis in systematic reviews that is aimed at Cochrane authors and trainers from low- and middle-income countries.  
  • A suite of webinar collections with new recordings highlights more specialized Cochrane methods for Rapid reviews, Qualitative evidence synthesis, Network meta-analysis, risk of bias methods and tools, and the use of AI in evidence synthesis.
  • Cochrane Evidence Essentials launched two new modules: on Consumer Involvement in Cochrane and Critical Appraisal of Rapid Reviews.  
  • Introductory webinars on methods for diverse review types including: prognosis, living systematic reviews, and diagnostic test accuracy network meta-analysis.
  • Webinars showcasing Cochrane’s focused review format template and how to write Cochrane plain language summaries, abstracts, and protocols.  
  • The open-access Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods (CESM) journal includes methods and statistics tutorials which include interactive micro-learning modules for readers to learn and practice methods; particularly useful for early career researchers. MSU co-edits this series and authors many of the tutorials. The journal also has an active call for papers for a new special issue on Collaborative Evidence Synthesis: Individual Participant Data, Prospective Meta-analysis, and Other Approaches. The submission deadline is 1 March, 2026.  
• In 2025, Cochrane endorsed four optional tools for qualitative evidence synthesis.
• In 2024, Cochrane endorsed guidance for the inclusion of non-randomized studies of interventions as an optional resource for prospective authors of Cochrane systematic reviews. This guidance will also soon be published in a journal.

Achievements and contributions from the Methods Groups

Cochrane greatly appreciates the expertise and contributions of the Cochrane Methods Groups. We have compiled the Methods Groups’ 2024–2025 achievements in a series of spotlights to celebrate their work in methods research and development, development of best practices and guidance, and methods implementation.

Hellos and Goodbyes  

We welcome:

• Candyce Hamel (Rapid Reviews, AI) and Kylie Hunter (Prospective Meta Analysis) as members of the Methods Executive
• Evan Mayo-Wilson and Riaz Qureshi, Convenors from the Adverse Effects Methods Group
• Ella Flemyng, Gerald Gartlehner, Zoe Jordan, Biljana Macura, Joerg Meerpohl, Will Moy, Anna Noel-Storr, James Thomas, Angelika Eisele – Metzger, Candyce Hamel, Matt Grainger, Pawel Jemiolo, Kylie Porritt, Jan Minx, Convenors and Associate Convenors from the AI Methods Group
• Christoffer Bruun Korfitsen, Coordinator substitute from the Bias Methods Group
• Adriani Nikolakopoulou, Convenor from the Comparing Multiple Interventions Methods Group  
• Alex Todhunter-Brown, Maureen Smith, April English, and Nicole Pitcher, Convenors from the Co-Production Methods Group
• Sue Brennan and Miranda Langendam, Convenors from the GRADEing Methods Group
• Anne Cleves, Coordinator from the Information Retrieval Methods Group
• Jo Dumville, Convenor Non-randomized studies for Interventions Methods Group
• Alonso Carrasco – Labra and Yuting Wang, Convenors from the Patient Reported Outcomes Methods Group
• Heather Ames, Convenor from the Qualitative and Implementation Methods Groups
• Ursula Griebler, Convenor from the Rapid Reviews Methods Group
• Theodoros Evrenoglou and Joseph Alvin Ramos Santos, Convenors from the Statistics Methods Group
• Jo-Ana Chase as Methods Implementation Editor  

And we say goodbye and thank you to the following:

• Tianjing Li (Comparing Multiple Interventions), Carl Moons (Prognosis), and Jane Noyes (Qualitative and Implementation) as members of the Methods Executive
• Anna Chaimani, Convenor from the Comparing Multiple Interventions Methods Group and Statistics Methods Group
• Denny John, Convenor from the Campbell and Cochrane Economics Methods Group
• Bernadette Coles and Alison Weightman, Convenors from the Information Retrieval Methods Group
• Jill Hayden, Convenor from the Prognosis Methods Group
• Angela Webster, Associate Convenor from the Prospective Meta-analysis Methods Group
• James Thomas, Convenor from the Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group
• Lisa Affengruber, Associate Convenor from the Rapid Reviews Methods Group
• Petra Macaskill, Convenor from the Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group
• Catrin Tudur, Convenor from the Statistics Methods Group
• Ingrid Arévalo-Rodriguez as Methods Implementation Editor

With respect and best wishes,

Jo-Ana Chase (Methods Implementation Editor)

Rachel Richardson (Methods Support Unit Lead)

Ella Flemyng (Head of Editorial Policy and Research Integrity)