MOOSE Checklist

Scope: Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.

Reference: See source/archetypes/moose-2000.yml for canonical link and provenance.

Instructions

1. Problem definition: Clearly state the research question.
2. Hypothesis: State the hypothesis being tested.
3. Study objectives: Describe the study objectives.
4. Rationale: Provide the rationale for the review in the context of what is already known.

5. Search criteria: Specify the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review.
6. Information sources: Specify all information sources used to identify studies, including databases, registers, and other sources.
7. Search terms: Describe the search strategy, including search terms and any limits used.
8. Search process: Describe the process for selecting studies for inclusion in the review.

9. Data extraction: Describe the methods used to extract data from reports, including how many reviewers extracted data and whether they worked independently.
10. Data items: List and define all variables for which data were sought.
11. Study quality assessment: Describe the methods used to assess the quality of the included studies.
12. Data synthesis: Describe the methods of data synthesis, including the summary measures and any investigation of heterogeneity.
13. Publication bias: Describe any methods used to assess publication bias.

14. Study selection: Describe the results of the study selection process, including the number of studies included in the review.
15. Study characteristics: Present the characteristics of the included studies.
16. Quantitative data synthesis: Present the results of the data synthesis, including the summary measures and any investigation of heterogeneity.
17. Publication bias: Present the results of any assessment of publication bias.

18. Summary of evidence: Summarize the main findings and their strength.
19. Limitations: Discuss the limitations of the review.
20. Conclusions: Provide a general interpretation of the results and their implications.

Reviewer notes