Rating the methodological quality in systematic reviews of studies on measurement properties: a scoring system for the COSMIN checklist
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 6 July 2011
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Quality of Life Research
- Vol. 21 (4), 651-657
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9960-1
Abstract
The COSMIN checklist is a standardized tool for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties. It contains 9 boxes, each dealing with one measurement property, with 5–18 items per box about design aspects and statistical methods. Our aim was to develop a scoring system for the COSMIN checklist to calculate quality scores per measurement property when using the checklist in systematic reviews of measurement properties. The scoring system was developed based on discussions among experts and testing of the scoring system on 46 articles from a systematic review. Four response options were defined for each COSMIN item (excellent, good, fair, and poor). A quality score per measurement property is obtained by taking the lowest rating of any item in a box (“worst score counts”). Specific criteria for excellent, good, fair, and poor quality for each COSMIN item are described. In defining the criteria, the “worst score counts” algorithm was taken into consideration. This means that only fatal flaws were defined as poor quality. The scores of the 46 articles show how the scoring system can be used to provide an overview of the methodological quality of studies included in a systematic review of measurement properties. Based on experience in testing this scoring system on 46 articles, the COSMIN checklist with the proposed scoring system seems to be a useful tool for assessing the methodological quality of studies included in systematic reviews of measurement properties.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- Measurement properties of disease-specific questionnaires in patients with neck pain: a systematic reviewQuality of Life Research, 2011
- The COSMIN checklist for evaluating the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties: A clarification of its contentBMC Medical Research Methodology, 2010
- The COSMIN checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties of health status measurement instruments: an international Delphi studyQuality of Life Research, 2010
- 2009 Updated Method Guidelines for Systematic Reviews in the Cochrane Back Review GroupSpine, 2009
- Grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in clinical practice guidelines: Part 2 of 3. The GRADE approach to grading quality of evidence about diagnostic tests and strategiesAllergy, 2009
- Self-report scales/checklists for the measurement of concussion symptoms: a systematic reviewBritish Journal of Sports Medicine, 2009
- Development of EMPRO: A Tool for the Standardized Assessment of Patient-Reported Outcome MeasuresValue in Health, 2008
- GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendationsBMJ, 2008
- Quality criteria were proposed for measurement properties of health status questionnairesJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2007
- Health related quality of life in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of disease specific instrumentsJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 2002