Structured Abstract

Contents

• Preface
• Executive Summary
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Implications for Practice
  • Future Research
  • Conclusions
• 1. Introduction
  • Background
  • The Use of Nonrandomized Study Designs
  • Classification of Study Designs
  • Objectives of the Project
• 2. Methods
  • Identification of Taxonomies (Objective 1)
  • Selection of Taxonomies (Objective 2)
  • Development of the Taxonomy Tool (Objective 3)
  • Taxonomy Testing and Development of Reference Standard (Objective 4)
• 3. Results
  • Identification of Taxonomies (Objective 1)
  • Selection of Taxonomies (Objective 2)
  • Taxonomy Testing and Development of Reference Standard (Objective 4)
• 4. Discussion
  • Implications for Practice
  • Future Directions
  • Strengths and Limitations
  • Summary
• References
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A Steering Committee Members
  • Appendix B Contacts for Identification of Study Design Classification Tools
  • Appendix C Letter of Request To Identify Study Design Classification Tools
  • Appendix D Bibliography and Summary of Studies for Classification (Objective 4)
  • Appendix E Round One Algorithm and Glossary
  • Appendix F Changes Made Between Round One and Round Two Algorithm
  • Appendix G Round Two Algorithm and Glossary
  • Appendix H Top Ranked Classification Tools Design

Acknowledgments: We are very grateful to the following individuals from the University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center who were involved in testing the taxonomies and providing feedback: Ahmed Abou-Setta, Liza Bialy, Michele Hamm, Nicola Hooton, David Jones, Andrea Milne, Kelly Russell, Jennifer Seida, and Kai-On Wong. We thank Ben Vandermeer for conducting the statistical analyses. We thank Karen Siegel from AHRQ for her input and advice during the course of the project. We are also appreciative of the individuals who provided sample taxonomies and of the members of other Evidence-based Practice Centers who provided the studies that were used for testing.

Prepared for: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services¹, Contract No. 290-02-0023 Prepared by: University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Suggested citation:

Hartling L, Bond K, Harvey K, Santaguida PL, Viswananthan M, Dryden DM. Developing and Testing a Tool for the Classification of Study Designs in Systematic Reviews of Interventions and Exposures. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; December 2010. Methods Research Report. AHRQ Publication No. 11-EHC-007. Available at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/.

This report is based on research conducted by the University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. 290-02-0023). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the author(s), who are responsible for its contents; the findings and conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Therefore, no statement in this report should be construed as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The information in this report is intended to help clinicians, employers, policymakers, and others make informed decisions about the provision of health care services. This report is intended as a reference and not as a substitute for clinical judgment.

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or as a basis for reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

This document was written with support from the Effective Health Care Program at AHRQ. None of the authors has a financial interest in any of the products discussed in this document.

The investigators have no relevant financial interests in the report. The investigators have no employment, consultancies, honoraria, or stock ownership or options, or royalties from any organization or entity with a financial interest or financial conflict with the subject matter discussed in the report.

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