There are many ways in which you can get involved with the activities of The Cochrane Collaboration:

As a review author
Resources:The Cochrane Collaboration’s web-page has useful resources for learning more about how to do systematic reviews (http://cochrane.org/index_authors_researchers.htm) that include the Collaboration’s handbook and links to download RevMan5, the Collaboration’s software to prepare and maintain systematic reviews; online training through the open learning materials that complement the Collaboration’s handbook can be accessed at http://www.cochrane-net.org/openlearning/

Face to face training workshops:Schedules for training workshops worldwide can be accessed at http://www.cochrane.org/news/workshops.htm and for workshops in the South Asian Region at http://www.cochrane-sacn.org

You can also contact Cochrane Review Groups to enquire about local workshops and about review topics at http://www.cochrane.org/contact/entities.htm

As a hand-searcher
You can hand-search healthcare journals from the region that are not indexed in international databases and contribute trials from the region to the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL). Databases and procedural documents, training resources including an online training course and other resources are available at http://cochrane.org/resources/hsearch.htm

As a consumer of healthcare
You can help by providing consumer input into developing Cochrane systematic reviews of best evidence in healthcare and in utilizing this evidence. The Cochrane Consumer Network homepage with resources and information on how you can contribute can be accessed at http://www.cochrane.org/consumers/homepage.htm.  You may also contact cochrane@cmcvellore.ac.in for guidance.

As a methodologist
If you are a statistician or have expertise in other methodological aspects of systematic reviews, you can contribute through one of the 12 Cochrane Methods Groups (http://www.cochrane.org/contact/entities.htm#MGLIST).

As a translator
Many reports of trials are in languages other than English. If your language skills extend beyond English or Indian languages, and you are willing to contribute your time and skill free of cost, please contact the SACN coordinating centre (http://www.cochrane-sacn.org). We also need help in translating evidence summaries into Indian languages.

As a member of a Cochrane field
Cochrane fields focus on dimensions of healthcare other than interventions such as the setting of care (e.g. primary care), the type of consumer (e.g. older people), the type of provider (e.g. nurses) or the type of intervention (e.g. physical therapies). For more information on ways to get involved, contact one of the relevant fields (http://www.cochrane.org/contact/entities.htm#FIELDLIST).

As a clinician
You can use the resources in the Cochrane Library to inform your practice and to influence the practice of those in your sphere of influence. The Cochrane Library is available free of cost to all in India at www.thecochranelibrary.com. You can also disseminate this information to others.
If you wish to organize a local workshop on Evidence-Informed Health Care and utilize us as resource persons, please contact us.

As a funder
The work of the Collaboration is based on voluntary commitment of individuals and organizations. If you or your organization wishes to fund the activities of the Cochrane Collaboration, you may contact the relevant review group, field or network or the Collaboration’s secretariat (secretariat@cochrane.org)