CAS Systematic Review Information Specialist

School of Life Sciences

Boost your expertise in research and publication support for systematic searching and transparent & reproducible reporting of evidence-synthesising secondary studies. From conducting systematic reviews to effectively advising researchers - this programme makes you a key resource in systematic review support.

Max. number of participants: 16

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Factsheet

Degree: Certificate of Advanced Studies FHNW Systematic Review Information Specialist
Learning environment: Online and Onsite
ECTS points: 10
Next start: 15.1.2027
Teaching languages: English
Venues: Online and FHNW Campus Muttenz
Fee: CHF 4 800 (Early Bird)*

At a glance

Expand your skills in conducting systematic literature searches.
Learn to create transparent, reproducible reports.
Provide specific methodological advice and stay up to date with the latest developments.
Benefit from an interdisciplinary programme with a strong focus on health-related fields and real-world, practice-based examples.

Aims and benefits

Expand your expertise in conducting systematic reviews and stay up to date with the latest methodological developments. The FHNW Campus Muttenz Library and Basel University Medical Library offer a certified continuing education programme for research and publication support of systematic reviews (and related study types) at the FHNW School of Life Sciences.

Upon completing the CAS programme, you will be able to:

Understand the tasks and roles of information specialists
Carry out systematic reviews in a complete, transparent and reproducible manner by understanding and applying the necessary methodological requirements
Use specific guidelines, frameworks and digital tools to perform each step of a systematic review
Apply qualitative and quantitative methods to synthesise evidence, conduct an independent systematic literature search in a relevant field, document it and write it up as part of a scientific publication
Develop and implement strategies to establish and promote the service within your institution
Advise researchers effectively on systematic reviews
Actively follow methodological developments in systematic review implementation and continuously expand your knowledge independently by using key resources

You complete the continuing education programme with an individual thesis on a systematic review project – enabling you to apply your knowledge directly in your professional setting.

Target audience

This part-time programme is designed for university graduates from all empirical disciplines – especially those working in academic libraries, universities or research institutions – who regularly support or contribute to systematic reviews. Whether you are already active in the field or looking to deepen your involvement, this CAS offers the advanced knowledge and practical tools you need to succeed.

The CAS Systematic Review Information Specialist programme offered excellent complementary training for my professional development from medical communications specialist to research librarian and information specialist in a university library. The combination of in-person and online class time integrated well with my work schedule. The in-class exercises and final project provided opportunities for immediate application of the skills learned during the course. Access to FHNW resources facilitated familiarization with a broad range of subject area-specific bibliographical databases. Finally, the diverse group of participants and instructors synergized to create a supportive and collaborative learning environment – what more could one want from continuing professional education?

Alisa Berger, Liaison Librarian Medicine

This CAS provided me with a great deal of methodological and practical information. The many practical exercises helped me to understand the subtleties of systematic reviews. The learning process is facilitated by competent and supportive lecturers who apply teaching methods that are adapted to a public that is already expert in the field of scientific information research.

Raphaël Grolimund, Bibliothécaire documentaliste archiviste, Infothèque HEG Genève

Structure and programme contents

In the five focused modules of this part-time programme, you will gain in-depth knowledge and acquire practical skills to apply directly in your professional practice.

Module 1: Introduction and methodology

Fields of activity, professional background, roles and review types
Systematic review process, guidelines and frameworks
Formulating a research question and developing a publication/dissemination plan
Protocol/preregistration
Evaluating the quality of studies
Synthesising qualitative and quantitative research results

Module 2: Search strategy and search tools

Developing a search strategy
Selecting search tools and search syntax, compiling search terms
Testing

Module 3: Carrying out a search and referencing

Auto Alerts
Exporting references
De-duplicating and screening references
Obtaining full texts
Citation searching
Updating the search

Module 4: Documenting and reporting the search

Specific guidelines, checklists
Analysing different types of documentation/reporting
Publishing your search strategy

Module 5: Service implementation

Strategic approach
Designing the service
Practising support sessions
Curating materials

Lecturers

PD Dr. Christian Appenzeller-Herzog (University Medical Library Basel)
Dr. Hannah Ewald (University Medical Library Basel)
Dr. Thomas Fürst (University Medical Library Basel)
Dr. Heike Gerger (Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University and Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam)
Dr. Julian Hirt (RefHunter; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel; OST - University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland)
Dr. Andreas Ledl (Head of New Philologies, Economics and Educational Science, Zurich University Library)
Dr. Maria-Inti Metzendorf (Institute of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf)
Monika Wechsler (University Medical Library Basel)

All lecturers are fluent in German and can help if critical understanding issues arise during the live lessons.

Requirements and admission

At least one of the following admission requirements must be met:

Tertiary educational qualification (at least Bachelor’s degree level) and relevant professional experience.
Federal Diploma of Higher Education (from a Swiss “Höhere Fachschule” or “eidg. HFP” or “eidg. BP”) and at least 3 years’ professional experience in a subject relevant to the programme.
At least 5 years’ professional experience in a subject relevant to the programme and successful completion of continuing education courses (in-company or CAS/MAS/DAS), or partially completed tertiary education (> 50%).

As the instruction and educational materials are in English, proficiency in English (minimum level C1) is a prerequisite.

Organisational matters

Format

The CAS requires around 250 hours of work, divided into:

3 attendance blocks of 2.5 days each (Fri/Sat plus Sunday morning in January, February and May)
48 online lessons (16 evenings on Thursdays between 4 and 7 pm latest, from January to June)
Final thesis (approx. 50–60 hours, July to December)

For accommodation during attendance blocks in Muttenz, please note that prices may be more affordable in close by towns in Germany or France. Near Muttenz we recommend the following hotels: