This is a brand new hybrid online course developed by methods and statistics experts in Cochrane. Designed for healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and guideline developers, the course teaches the principles and practice of network meta-analysis (NMA) in a structured and accessible way. It is particularly suited to those without a background in statistics or programming.
The course will begin on Monday 16 February and run for 4 weeks. See full schedule below.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course you will:
Understand the concept and core principles of NMA and its assumptions
Explore different models for NMA and be able to interpret their outputs
Learn how to assess the certainty of evidence generated by an NMA
Identify key reporting features of NMA protocols and reviews
Understand how to interpret and disseminate the findings of an NMA
The course mixes online content on Cochrane’s Learning Experiences Platform (LXP) with Discussion Boards and live sessions with our expert tutors.
Course Content
Pre-course materials
The following pre-course materials will be released to participants on the Monday of the week before the course starts:
Welcome video
‘Let’s start’ video - an introduction to the course on the LXP
Foundations of NMA online course – housekeeping document
Introduction to the course tutors – brief bios
Quiz – how much do you know about network meta-analysis?
Recommended reading
Module 1: Basics
Recorded lectures:
‘Introduction to NMA’
‘Protocol considerations in NMA’
‘Key principles in NMA: transitivity’
‘Key statistical principles in NMA: consistency’
Quizzes to test understanding of lectures
Exercise: Exploring a published Cochrane NMA
Recommended reading
Live Q&A session with tutors
Discussion board
Module 2: Statistics
Recorded lectures:
‘Overview of statistical models for NMA’
‘Outputs from an NMA’
Code and outputs from an example presented in the ‘Outputs from an NMA’ lecture
Quizzes to test understanding of lectures
Exercise: Using NMA Studio
Recommended reading
Live Q&A session with tutors
Discussion board
Module 3: Assessing the certainty of NMA estimates
Recorded lectures:
‘Assessing the certainty of the evidence – the CINeMA approach’
‘Using the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence from network meta-analysis’
Quizzes to test understanding of lectures
Exercises based on the GRADE and the CINeMA approach
Recommended reading
Live Q&A session with tutors
Discussion board
Module 4: Reporting and disseminating an NMA
Recorded lectures:
‘Reporting an NMA’
‘Disseminating an NMA’
Quiz to test understanding of lectures
Exercise: Interpreting a Summary of Findings table
Recommended reading
Live Q&A session with tutors
Discussion board
Final course assessment
Course schedule
Module 1: Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026. Live session 2pm UTC on Thursday 19 February
Module 2: Monday 23 February to Friday 27 February 2026. Live session 2pm UTC on Thursday 26 February
Module 3: Monday 2 March to Friday 6 March 2026. Live session 2pm UTC on Thursday 5 March
Module 4: Monday 9 March to Friday 13 March 2026. Live session 2pm UTC on Thursday 12 March
Course tutors
Emma Axon: Evidence Synthesis Methodology Editor, Methods Support Unit, Cochrane Central Executive Team
Romina Brignardello-Petersen: Associate Professor, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
Harry Dayantis: Head of Communications, Cochrane Central Executive Team
Afroditi Kanellopoulou: Statistics Editor, Cochrane Central Executive Team
Adriani Nikolakopoulou: Assistant Professor of Medical Statistics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Rachel Richardson: Methods Support Unit Lead, Cochrane Central Executive Team
Sofia Tsokani: Statistics Editor, Cochrane Central Executive Team
Who is this course for?
We welcome people who have a good understanding of traditional systematic reviews and would like to deepen their understanding of network meta-analysis.
Price
Standard rate - £600 (+VAT (UK and EU))
Research4Life Group A & B countries, Cochrane Members and Students - £450 (+VAT (UK and EU))
