There are various training courses for those considering or undertaking IPD meta-analysis projects

​

• STATISTICS TRAINING COURSE: "Statistical Methods for Meta-analysis of IPD" (1st - 3rd October 2025) - 3-day training course about the statistical methods and software to undertake an IPD meta-analysis, with hands on computer practicals

​

• PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION COURSE: "IPD Meta-Analysis Projects: a practical introduction for healthcare research"  (23rd -24th September 2025): 2-day training course about the whole IPD meta-analysis project (rationale & planning; obtaining, cleaning & harmonising IPD; risk of bias & meta-analysis; reporting and dissemination). 

​​​

​

Statistical methods for meta-analysis of individual participant data (online course, University of Birmingham) 

​

• DATES: 1st - 3rd October 2025

​

• FACULTY: Joie Ensor (lead), Richard Riley, Miriam Hattle & Katie Scandrett (University of Birmingham) 

​

• OVERVIEW: This three-day online statistical course provides a detailed foundation of the methods and principles for meta-analysis when IPD (Individual Participant Data) are available from multiple related studies. The course considers continuous, binary and time-to-event outcomes, and covers a variety of modelling options, including common (fixed) effect and random effects models in either a two-stage or one-stage approach.

 

​Days 1 and 2 mainly focus on the synthesis of IPD from randomised trials of interventions, where the aim is to summarise a treatment effect or to examine treatment-covariate interactions. We outline how to use either a two-stage framework (day 1) or a one-stage framework (day 2) for the meta-analysis, and compare their pros and cons. Day 3 focuses on novel extensions including multivariate and network meta-analysis of IPD to incorporate correlated and indirect evidence (e.g. from multiple outcomes or multiple treatment comparisons). Special topics will also be covered, including: (i) IPD meta-analysis to identify prognostic/risk factors, (ii) IPD meta-analysis of test accuracy studies; (iii) estimating the power of a planned IPD meta-analysis; and (iv) dealing with unavailable IPD. The key messages are illustrated with real examples throughout the course.

 

The course consists of a mixture of recorded lectures, live Q&A sessions following each lecture, and live practical sessions to reinforce the underlying statistical concepts. Participants can choose either Stata or R for the practicals, which can be done live or - as the code is already written - undertaken in participants' own time as necessary. All sessions will be recorded and made available for 2 weeks after the course, to give people flexibility. PDFs of lecture slides, plus all code and practical solutions will be available to keep for personal use.

​

• TIME-TABLE: For a provisional time-table of the 3 days, please see here

​

• TARGET AUDIENCE: The online course is aimed at individuals that want to learn how to plan and undertake an IPD meta-analysis. We recommend that participants have a background in statistics as the course assumes a good understanding of core statistical principles and topics, such as regression methods (such as linear, logistic, and Cox), parameter estimation and interpreting software output. A familiarity with traditional aggregate data (non-IPD) meta-analysis methods is advantageous, though not essential. We also recommend that participants are familiar with Stata or R, although the practicals will not require individuals to write their own code. Participants must have access to their own copy of R or Stata for undertaking the practicals. 

​

• LOCATION: Online 

​

• COSTS 

Students - £499

Academic - £599

Industry - £699

​

• BOOKING:  HERE  - for further details contact Joie Ensor