Dr Alison Weightman

Director, Specialist Unit for Review Evidence (SURE) and Associate Director, Research & Academic Engagement

: weightmanal@cardiff.ac.uk
: +44(0)29 2068 7911

I am Director of the Specialist Unit for Review Evidence (SURE) a largely grant funded unit whose staff specialise in carrying out systematic reviews, researching and teaching review techniques.

I have over 18 year's experience as a systematic reviewer and a particular interest and expertise in reviewing, and developing systematic review techniques for complex public health topics.

An author on more than 30 systematic reviews, I am also a Co-convener of the Cochrane Information Retrieval Methods Group and a Member of the Cedar Healthcare Technology Research Centre’s Steering Group (a NICE External Assessment Centre).

As Head of Research and Academic Engagement, University Library Service, I am involved in a range of development initiatives related to information support for the research and learning and teaching missions of the University, and methods to improve the quality of library services and information resources.

2021

Weightman, A. L.et al. 2021. Searching for research studies in children's social care: some techniques and tools. London: What Works for Children's Social Care. Available at: https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/research-report/searching-for-research-studies-in-childrens-social-care-some-techniques-and-tools/

2019

Button, K.et al. 2019. Musculoskeletal care pathways for adults with hip and knee pain referred for specialist opinion: a systematic review. BMJ Open 9(9), article number: e027874. (10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027874)

2018

Brand, S.et al. 2018. Mapping the evidence about what works to safely reduce the number of children and young people in statutory care: A systematic scoping review. Technical Report.
Elwood, P.et al. 2018. Systematic review update of observational studies further supports aspirin role in cancer treatment: Time to share evidence and decision-making with patients?. PLoS ONE 13(9), pp. e0203957. (10.1371/journal.pone.0203957)

2017

Weightman, A.et al. 2017. A systematic review of information literacy programs in higher education: effects of faceto- face, online, and blended formats on student skills and views. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 12(3), pp. 20-55. (10.18438/B86W90)
Turner, S. L.et al. 2017. Risk factors associated with unintentional house fire incidents, injuries and deaths in high-income countries: a systematic review. Injury Prevention 23(2), pp. 131-137. (10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042174)

2016

Elwood, P. C.et al. 2016. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials to ascertain fatal gastrointestinal bleeding events attributable to preventive low-dose aspirin: no evidence of increased risk. PLoS ONE 11(11), article number: e0166166. (10.1371/journal.pone.0166166)
Button, K.et al. 2016. Musculoskeletal care pathways for adults. Systematic Reviews 5(128), pp. 1-6.
Elwood, P. C.et al. 2016. Aspirin in the treatment of cancer: reductions in metastatic spread and in mortality: a systematic review and meta-analyses of published studies. PLoS ONE 11(4), article number: e0152402. (10.1371/journal.pone.0152402)
Fone, D.et al. 2016. Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health (CHALICE): a comprehensive record-linked database study in Wales. Public Health Research 4(3), pp. 1-184. (10.3310/phr04030)
Morgan, F.et al. 2016. Adherence to exercise referral schemes by participants - what do providers and commissioners need to know? A systematic review of barriers and facilitators. BMC Public Health 16(1), article number: 227. (10.1186/s12889-016-2882-7)

2015

Johnson, I. G.et al. 2015. Approaches for adult nursing and residential care homes on promoting oral health, preventing dental health problems and ensuring access to dental treatment: Draft Review 3: Barriers and Facilitators. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-PHG62/documents/evidence-review-4
Morgan, F.et al. 2015. Approaches for adult nursing and residential care homes on promoting oral health, preventing dental health problems and ensuring access to dental treatment. Draft Review 2: Best Practice. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-PHG62/documents/evidence-review-3
Weightman, A. L.et al. 2015. Approaches for adult nursing and residential care homes on promoting oral health, preventing dental health problems and ensuring access to dental treatment. Draft Review 1: Effectiveness. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-PHG62/documents/evidence-review
Francis, D.et al. 2015. Supporting the needs of public health decision-makers and review authors in the UK. Journal of Public Health 37(1), pp. 172-174. (10.1093/pubmed/fdu089)
Baker, P. R. A.et al. 2015. Public health interventions for increasing physical activity in children, adolescents and adults: an overview of systematic reviews. The Cochrane Library (10.1002/14651858.CD011454)
Baker, P. R. A.et al. 2015. Community wide interventions for increasing physical activity. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(1), article number: CD008366. (10.1002/14651858.CD008366.pub3)
Weightman, A. L.et al. 2015. Information literacy teaching in Universities - a systematic review of evaluation studies: Preliminary findings for online versus traditional methods. Presented at: Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP8), Brisben, Queensland, Australia, 6-8 July 2015.

2014

Morgan, F.et al. 2014. Exercise referral schemes to promote physical activity. Project Report. [Online]. NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph54/chapter/what-is-this-guideline-about
Turley, R. L.et al. 2014. Improving the usefulness and practice of evidence synthesis: views and experiences of public health decision makers and review authors in the UK. The Lancet 384(S2), article number: S81. (10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62207-8)

2013

Morgan, F.et al. 2013. Managing overweight and obesity among children and young people: Review 1 - Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of lifestyle weight management services for children and young people. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph47#
Morgan, F.et al. 2013. Tobacco: harm-reduction approaches to smoking Short title: Tobacco: harm reduction. Review 3: The effectiveness of long-term harm reduction approaches without the prior intention of quitting. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph45/evidence/tobacco-harm-reduction-approaches-to-smoking-evidence-reviews2
Tully, M. A.et al. 2013. Built environment interventions for increasing physical activity in adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (10.1002/14651858.CD010330)
Stansfield, C.et al. 2013. Cochrane update: identifying health-related research resources relevant to low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Public Health 35(3), pp. 477-480. (10.1093/pubmed/fdt091)
Lefebvre, C.et al. 2013. Methodological developments in searching for studies for systematic reviews: past, present and future?. Systematic Reviews 2(1), article number: 78. (10.1186/2046-4053-2-78)

2012

Turley, R. L.et al. 2012. Managing overweight and obesity among children and young people: lifestyle weight management services. Review 2: The barriers and facilitators to implementing lifestyle weight management programmes for children and young people. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph47/evidence/ph47-managing-overweight-and-obesity-among-children-and-young-people-supporting-evidence
Hayes, S. L.et al. 2012. Collaboration between local health and local government agencies for health improvement. The Cochrane Library (10.1002/14651858.CD007825.pub6)
Morgan, H. E.et al. 2012. Rapid review for NICE: long term use of non-tobacco nicotine containing products in individuals who have quit smoking abruptly. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph45/evidence/tobacco-harm-reduction-approaches-to-smoking-evidence-reviews2
Fone, D. L.et al. 2012. Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health (CHALICE). BMC Public Health 12(1), article number: 428. (10.1186/1471-2458-12-428)
Fone, D. L.et al. 2012. Change in alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related harm to population health (CHALICE). BMC Public Health 12(1), pp. 428-437. (10.1186/1471-2458-12-428)
Turley, R. L.et al. 2012. Tobacco: harm-reduction approaches to smoking Review 4: Barriers and facilitators to implementing tobacco harm reduction approaches; including user and provider perspectives. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph45/resources/guidance-tobacco-harmreduction-approaches-to-smoking-pdf
Morgan, F.et al. 2012. Tobacco: harm-reduction approaches to smoking Short title: Tobacco: harm reduction. Review 2: The effectiveness of tobacco harm reduction approaches with the intention of quitting (i.e. ‘cutting down to quit’ or ‘reduction to stop smoking’), with and without assistance. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph45/chapter/introduction-scope-and-purpose-of-this-guidance
Weightman, A.et al. 2012. Social inequality and infant health in the UK: systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ Open 2(3), article number: e000964. (10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000964)
Hayes, S.et al. 2012. Collaboration between local health and local government agencies for health improvement (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 10, pp. 1-138. (10.1002/14651858.CD007825.pub6.)

2011

Baker, P. R. A.et al. 2011. Community wide interventions for increasing physical activity. The Cochrane Library(4) (10.1002/14651858.CD008366.pub2)
Turner, S.et al. 2011. Modification of the home environment for the reduction of injuries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(2), article number: CD003600. (10.1002/14651858.CD003600.pub3)
Hayes, S. L.et al. 2011. Collaboration between local health and local government agencies for health improvement. The Cochrane Library 2011(9) (10.1002/14651858.CD007825.pub5)

2010

Price, S.et al. 2010. Suicide prevention: update of the summary of evidence. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Public Health Wales NHS Trust. Available at: http://www2.nphs.wales.nhs.uk:8080/VulnerableAdultsDocs.nsf/61c1e930f9121fd080256f2a004937ed/ea1e69fa704df1cd80257797003817e6/$FILE/suicide_%20evidence_%20review_v1_220710%20(final).doc
Bradbury, K. and Weightman, A. L. 2010. Research support at Cardiff University Library. Sconul Focus 50, pp. 65-70.

2009

Weightman, A.et al. 2009. The value and impact of information provided through library services for patient care: developing guidance for best practice. Health Information and Libraries Journal 26(1), pp. 63-71. (10.1111/j.1471-1842.2008.00782.x)
Hayes, S.et al. 2009. Collaboration between local health and local government agencies for health improvement. The Cochrane Library 2009(2) (10.1002/14651858.CD007825)
Turley, R. L.et al. 2009. Older people’s wellbeing monitor for Wales: Evidence review. Cardiff: Welsh Government. Available at: http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/older-peoples-wellbeing-monitor-wales/?lang=en

2008

Morgan, H. E.et al. 2008. Developing a specialized register for the Public Health Review Group. Journal of Public Health 30(4), pp. 508-509. (10.1093/pubmed/fdn091)
Waters, E.et al. 2008. Evidence synthesis, upstream determinants and health inequalities: the role of a proposed new Cochrane Public Health Review Group. The European Journal of Public Health 18(3), pp. 221-223. (10.1093/eurpub/ckm127)
Morgan, F.et al. 2008. Social determinants for older people’s health: A systematic review. Report to the Welsh Assembly Government. Technical Report.
Weightman, A. L.et al. 2008. Social determinants for child health: A systematic review. Report to the Welsh Assembly Government.. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh Government.

2007

Turley, R. L.et al. 2007. Proactive case finding and retention and improving access to services in disadvantaged areas (Health Inequalities) Statins. Project Report. [Online]. London: NICE. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph15/evidence/services-in-disadvantaged-areas-statins-report2
Morgan, H. E.et al. 2007. Social determinants for cancer: A systematic review. Report to the Welsh Assembly Government. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh Government.

2006

Thomas, H. V.et al. 2006. Pain in veterans of the Gulf War of 1991: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 7(74) (10.1186/1471-2474-7-74)
Thomas, H. V.et al. 2006. Systematic review of multi-symptom conditions in Gulf War veterans. Psychological Medicine 36(6), pp. 735-747. (10.1017/S0033291705006975)
Thomas, H. V.et al. 2006. Systematic review of multi-symptom conditions in Gulf War veterans. Psychological Medicine 36(6), pp. 735-747. (10.1017/S0033291705006975)
Lyons, R. A.et al. 2006. Modification of the home environment for the reduction of injuries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 18(4), article number: CD003600. (10.1002/14651858.CD003600)

2005

Pritchard, S. J. and Weightman, A. L. 2005. MEDLINE in the UK: pioneering the past, present and future. Health Information & Libraries Journal 22(Supp.1), pp. 38-44. (10.1111/j.1740-3324.2005.00586.x)
Weightman, A. L. and Williamson, J. 2005. The value and impact of information provided through library services for patient care: a systematic review. Health Information & Libraries Journal 22(1), pp. 4-25. (10.1111/j.1471-1842.2005.00549.x)
2005. Grading evidence and recommendations for public health interventions: developing and piloting a framework. Project Report. [Online]. London: Health Development Agency. Available at: http://www.gserve.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/docs/grading_evidence.pdf

2003

Turner, S.et al. 2003. Modification of the home environment for the reduction of injuries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 4, pp. 1-28. (10.1002/14651858.CD003600.pub2)
Stimpson, N. J.et al. 2003. Psychiatric disorder in veterans of the Persian Gulf War of 1991: Systematic review. British Journal of Psychiatry 182(5), pp. 391-403. (10.1192/bjp.182.5.391)
Stimpson, N. J.et al. 2003. Psychiatric disorder in veterans of the Persian Gulf War of 1991 - Systematic review. The British Journal of Psychiatry 182(5), pp. 391-403.

2002

Thomas, H. V.et al. 2002. Systematic review of adverse health outcomes in Gulf War veterans. Epidemiology 13(4), pp. S230-S230.
Weaver, N.et al. 2002. Taking STOX: developing a cross disciplinary methodology for systematic reviews of research on the built environment and the health of the public. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 56(1), pp. 48 - 55. (10.1136/jech.56.1.48)

2000

Deb, S.et al. 2000. Health evidence bulletins in learning disability in Wales [Abstract]. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 44(3-4), pp. 259. (10.1046/j.1365-2788.2000.d01-124.x)

1992

Weightman, A. L., Weightman, A. J. and Slater, J. 1992. Microbial dehalogenation of trichloroacetic acid. World Journal of Micorobiology & Biotechnology 8(5), pp. 512-518. (10.1007/BF01201951)

1985

Morris, I.et al. 1985. Microbial activity in the Cariaco Trench. Microbios 42(169), pp. 133-144.
Weightman, A. J., Weightman, A. L. and Slater, J. 1985. Toxic effects of chlorinated and brominated alkanoic acids on pseudomonas-putida PP3 : selction at high-frequencies of mutations in genes encoding dehalogenases. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 49(6), pp. 1494-1501.

1982

Weightman, A. J., Weightman, A. L. and Slater, J. 1982. Stereospecificity of 2-monochloropropionate dehalogenation by the two dehalogenases of pseudomonas putida PP3: evidence for two different dehalogenation mechanisms. Journal of General Microbiology 128(8), pp. 1755-1762. (10.1099/00221287-128-8-1755)