The Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Jordan organized today an advanced training workshop on methodologies of systematic reviews and evidence-based research. The event was attended by the Vice President for Accreditation, Global Rankings, and Sustainability Affairs, Dr. Faleh Al-Sawaeir; the Dean of Scientific Research, Dr. Yasser Al-Rayan; the Dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr. Zaid Al-Bitar; as well as faculty members, researchers, and postgraduate students from the medical faculties.
In his opening remarks, Al-Rayan reviewed the academic background of the workshop lecturer, Dr. Mohammad Younis Hajjeer, one of the leading figures in the field of orthodontics. Dr. Hajjeer graduated from the University of Aleppo in 1995 with distinction, ranking first nationwide in Syria. He earned his PhD in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom in 2003 with a specialization in surgical orthodontics, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Research Methods from the University of Sheffield in 2013.
The two-day workshop, totaling six hours of training, aims to build participants’ capacities in several areas related to evidence-based scientific research. It included a series of methodological explanations delivered by Dr. Hajjeer, a professor at the University of Damascus and one of the prominent specialists in orthodontics and scientific research, through remote communication technology.
The training program covered the modern concept of evidence-based biomedical sciences and its importance in improving the quality of medical services. It also introduced the evidence hierarchy and various research study designs. Participants received hands-on training on formulating a focused systematic review question and were introduced to the PICOS framework used in reviews of therapeutic interventions.
The workshop also included an overview of bibliographic databases for literature reviews, methods for evaluating study eligibility for inclusion, and the processes of screening and data extraction. Dr. Hajjeer provided a detailed explanation of approaches for assessing risk of bias in research studies and the available assessment tools, before moving on to qualitative synthesis methods and ways to integrate findings within clear methodological frameworks. The workshop also featured training in quantitative synthesis using meta-analysis, along with criteria for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of scientific findings.
The workshop witnessed strong engagement from participants, who emphasized the importance of training in these research tools to enhance the quality of scientific output and improve their ability to prepare rigorous studies. They highlighted the value of such activities in supporting researchers at the University of Jordan and enabling them to employ advanced research methodologies that contribute to improving scientific productivity and raising academic excellence.