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Table 3 Assessment of study quality

From: Factors influencing the effectiveness of multisource feedback in improving the professional practice of medical doctors: a systematic review

Quality Indicator

Detail

Research question

Is the research question(s) or hypothesis clearly stated?

Study subjects

Is the subject group appropriate for the study being carried out (number, characteristics, selection, and homogeneity)?

‘Data’ collection methods

Are the methods used (qualitative or quantitative) reliable and valid for the research question and context?

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)?

Control for confounding

Have multiple factors/variables been removed or accounted for where possible?

Analysis of results

Are the statistical or other methods of results analysis used appropriate?

Conclusion

Is it clear that the data justify the conclusions drawn?

Reproducibility

Could the study be repeated by other researchers?

Prospective

Does the study look forwards in time (prospective) rather than backwards (retrospective)?

Ethical issues

Were all relevant ethical issues addressed?

Triangulation:

Were results supported by data from more than one source?