Appendix G: Peer Review Process

Structured Format for Referee Comments

(Please refer to page and paragraph number when making very specific comments.)

Question Formulation

Are evidence report questions well formulated and easily understandable?

Study Identification

Is there a thorough search for relevant data using appropriate resources?

Are there unbiased, explicit searching strategies that are appropriately matched to the question?

Study Selection

Are appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria used to select articles? Are selection criteria applied in a manner that limits bias? Are efforts made to identify unpublished data, if this is appropriate? Are reasons for excluding studies from the report stated?

Appraisal of Studies

Is the validity of individual studies addressed in a reliable manner? Are important parameters (e.g. setting, study population, study design) that could affect study results systematically addressed?

Data Collection

Is there a minimal amount of missing information regarding outcomes and other variables considered key to the interpretation of results? Are efforts made to reduce bias in the data collection process?

Data Synthesis

Are important parameters, such as study designs, considered in the synthesis? Are reasonable decisions made concerning whether and how to combine the data? Are results sensitive to changes in the way the analysis was done? Is precision of results reported? Are limitations and inconsistencies of studies stated? Are limitations of the review process stated?

Research

Are implications for research discussed?

Conclusions (stated throughout the report)

Are conclusions supported by the data reviewed? Is evidence appropriately interpreted as inconclusive (no evidence of effect) or as showing a particular strategy did not work (evidence of no effect)? Is a summary of pertinent findings provided?

Format

Does the Executive Summary adequately summarize the report? Is the evidence report presented in a clear readable manner? If not, your suggestions are:

Other

What are the major strengths of this report? What are the major limitations of this report?

Indicate here whether you have any conflicts of interest regarding the review of the Evidence Report.

-I certify that I have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter of the Evidence Report (e.g. employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, expert testimony.)

Declare your conflict of interest here.

Reviewers of this Task Order :

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