I am conducting a systematic review and am trying to determine which quality assessment tool to use. In the past i have used the 11-item Physiotherapy Evidence Database-PsychBITE (PEDro-P) scale. However, the articles that will be included in the current study vary from qualitative and quantitative methods, and very few are RCTs. As such, using the PEDro-P or Jadad scale will inherently return poor quality scores. I am wondering if anyone is aware of quality assessment tools that can be used for non-RCT and qualitative studies.
Thank you in advance,
Cisse Nakeyar
Hi Cisse,
It is quite tricky to get an assessment tool for mixed studies. However, if I may suggest for qualitative research:
- Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups
Try also, the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews and the PRISMA guidelines as well.
Another approach if you are finding that the studies are quite mixed and difficult to compare and assess, there is also a method called integrative literature review. It offers a way of integrating studies with difficult to compare quality due to methodological discrepancies.
There is a quality measure by Down and Black that can be used for all types of intervention studies (not just RCTs). I have used this and it worked well
Hi Cisse, I too would recommend using Down and Black quality index (1998). I have used it previously. You could modify the checklist, based on your requirements, if needed.
Downs S, Black N. The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the
methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of
health care interventions. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
1998;52(6):377-84.
Also, check this article which has reviewed the risk of bias assessment tools used for observational epidemiological studies -
Sanderson, S., Tatt, I. D., & Higgins, J. P. Tools for assessing quality and susceptibility to bias in observational studies in epidemiology: a systematic review and annotated bibliography. International journal of epidemiology 2007;36(3), 666-676.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Ashok
Here's another resource for assessing systematic reviews that review a mix of studies using different designs. http://ktdrr.org/ktlibrary/articles_pubs/ncddrwork/aqasr/index.html
Thank you everyone for your help. I will be sure to look at all the measures mentioned here and determine which one is best for this study. Also, thank you Ashokan for providing references of the Down and Black scale.
Best,
Cisse
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