Professor Andy Xuesong Gao from the University of New South Wales delivered a seminar titled “Conducting and Publishing Research Synthesis: Techniques and Best Practices” on March 15, 2025. The session focused on the critical process of research synthesis within the academic and scientific community, detailing various methodologies and best practices.

Professor Gao provided an overview of different types of research synthesis, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative syntheses. The discussion emphasized the importance of formulating clear research questions, selecting appropriate databases, and establishing rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria for systematic and scoping reviews.

The workshop differentiated between systematic reviews and narrative reviews, highlighting their distinct characteristics and purposes. Participants learned about the steps involved in conducting systematic reviews, including data extraction, quality assessment, and synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data.

Professor Gao addressed common challenges faced during the review process, such as the accumulation of knowledge over time and the need for clarity and conceptualization in presenting findings. Drawing on his personal experiences as a co-author, Professor Gao emphasized the value of teamwork and collaboration in conducting systematic reviews.

The Q and A session allowed participants to engage with Professor Gao on specific topics, including the definition of qualitative research and considerations for meta-analysis sample size calculations. Overall, the workshop equipped attendees with essential skills and insights for effectively conducting and publishing research synthesis.