Table 1
Quality indicators [23]
|
A. |
Research question: Is the research question(s) or hypothesis clearly stated? |
|
B. |
Study subjects: Is the subject group appropriate for the study being carried out (number, characteristics, selection, and homogeneity)? |
|
C. |
‘Data’ collection methods: Are the methods used (qualitative or quantitative) reliable and |
|
D. |
Valid for the research question and context? |
|
E. |
Completeness of ‘data’: Have subjects dropped out? Is the attrition rate less than 50%? For questionnaire-based studies, is the response rate acceptable (60% or above)? |
|
F. |
Control for confounding: Have multiple factors/variables been removed or accounted for where possible? |
|
G. |
Analysis of results: Are the statistical or other methods of results analysis used appropriate? |
|
H. |
Conclusions: Is it clear that the data justify the conclusions drawn? |
|
I. |
Reproducibility: Could the study be repeated by other researchers? |
|
J. |
Prospective: Does the study look forwards in time (prospective) rather than backwards (retrospective)? |
|
K. |
Ethical issues: Were all relevant ethical issues addressed? |
|
L. |
Triangulation: Were results supported by data from more than one source? |
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the study selection process according to PRISMA (Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) criteria [22]
