2.1. Composition of the Workgroup

In November 2020, AHRQ convened a workgroup to update the existing (2010) guidance and develop this document. The 20-member workgroup comprised 13 members representing 8 of 9 current AHRQ-appointed EPCs, 3 AHRQ representatives, 1 independent consultant with expertise in SRs, and 3 representatives of the AHRQ-appointed Scientific Resource Center.

2.2. Obtaining Input From the Broader EPC Program

The workgroup met virtually approximately twice a month for 10 months. The workgroup also received input from the broader EPC Program regarding the process and specific issues in the following ways:

• All nine current EPCs provided input through discussions at a virtual meeting (August 2021).
• Two online surveys examined challenges with including NRSIs in SRs. One survey focused on current practices by EPCs regarding NRSI inclusion in 19 ongoing and recently completed SRs. The other survey, completed by all EPCs following completion of each EPC SR in the last 3 years, focused on the appropriateness, completeness, and usefulness of existing AHRQ EPC Program methods guidance.

The workgroup considered virtual meeting and survey input when identifying specific aspects of the guidance that needed updating.

2.3. Generating Consensus

The workgroup used an informal method for generating consensus on the content of this report. Disagreements were resolved through discussion.

2.4. Writing This Report

Individual workgroup members drafted sections of this report. Two workgroup leads (IJS and MV) reviewed, revised, and compiled the sections into a draft report. All workgroup members commented on the complete draft before the draft was circulated to all EPC Directors and AHRQ officers. All workgroup members, led by IJS and MV, reviewed and addressed the comments and approved this final version of the report.