Development and validation of critical appraisal tool for individual participant data meta-analysis: protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• * Evidence synthesis and meta-analysis methodology.
• * Health research methodology and critical appraisal tools.

Background:

• * Individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) is the gold standard for evidence synthesis.
• * Current IPD-MA conduct lacks a consensus-based critical appraisal tool.
• * This study addresses the need for a standardized IPD-MA appraisal checklist.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To systematically identify quality items for IPD-MA critical appraisal.
• * To develop a consensus-based critical appraisal checklist for IPD-MA.
• * To validate the developed checklist for reliability and content validity.

Main Methods:

• * Phase 1: Systematic methodology review of IPD-MA guidance.
• * Phase 2: e-Delphi survey with international experts and stakeholders to establish consensus on checklist items.
• * Phase 3: Validation of the checklist through content validity and reliability testing.

Main Results:

• * A preliminary checklist was developed from a systematic review.
• * Consensus was reached on checklist items through multi-round e-Delphi surveys.
• * The checklist underwent pilot testing and validation for content validity and reliability.

Conclusions:

• * A validated critical appraisal checklist for IPD-MA has been developed.
• * This tool will enhance the quality and standardization of IPD-MA.
• * The checklist will be disseminated through open-access publication and networks.