Frequently asked questions
Before you join the program
Practical answers about eligibility, workload, live teaching, software, topics, authorship, publication, certificates, and continuing support.
Program & Participation
Who can join?
The program is open to participants from any academic or professional background. No specific degree or field of study is required; participants should be prepared to engage consistently with the teaching and project work.
Do I need previous research experience?
No. No prior research, systematic-review, or meta-analysis experience is required. The program is beginner-friendly and begins with foundational concepts.
Is this a workshop or a mentorship program?
It is a structured mentorship program rather than a short workshop. Teaching, project application, personalized feedback, manuscript guidance, and continued project-related mentorship are connected across the research workflow.
How long is the program?
The structured teaching phase lasts eight weeks. Project-related mentorship may continue afterward as needed.
What is the weekly format?
Each week combines live online weekend teaching with regular weekday project work. Participants should be prepared to engage consistently with both. Live-session timing is communicated to participants before the cohort begins.
What happens if I miss a live session?
Regular attendance is important because the curriculum is cumulative. Participants should notify the mentor as early as possible. Reasonable approved catch-up arrangements may be considered, but applicants should not assume every live session can be replaced.
Learning & Project Work
What software is used?
Software may include R, screening tools such as Rayyan, reference managers such as Zotero or Mendeley, and standard document and spreadsheet tools. The exact combination depends on the project workflow.
Will I learn R?
Yes. The program emphasizes practical meta-analysis in R, including data preparation, models, heterogeneity, forest plots, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias.
How are research topics handled?
A feasible research topic is provided at the start of the mentorship so participants can begin applying the workflow without being stalled by topic selection. Feasibility and novelty are still examined as part of Week 1 so the reasoning behind topic selection is learned, not bypassed.
Authorship, Publication & Certificate
Is publication guaranteed?
No. Journal acceptance and publication decisions remain with the journal. ESMP provides methodological and manuscript-related guidance, but publication cannot be guaranteed. Journal submission, correspondence, and revisions remain the responsibility of the research team.
Does joining guarantee authorship?
No. Enrollment does not guarantee authorship. Authorship requires substantive contribution and fulfillment of the ICMJE authorship criteria. No particular author position is guaranteed.
How is author order determined?
Author order is determined by contribution and agreed among authors who meet the authorship criteria. No particular author position is guaranteed.
What is required for the certificate?
The Certificate of Completion requires:
- minimum 75% attendance at live teaching, subject to reasonable approved catch-up arrangements
- completion of required practical and project work
- meaningful participation in the evidence-synthesis workflow
- completion of assigned program deliverables
- appropriate academic and professional conduct
Publication or journal acceptance is not required. Receiving a certificate does not by itself establish authorship eligibility.
What happens after Week 8?
The structured teaching phase ends after eight weeks, but mentorship around the project may continue as needed. Participants may seek guidance on analysis, interpretation, manuscript refinement, and project-related questions that arise afterward.
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