Table 2 The FIAT-Health 1.0 questionnaire

Question

Answer

Routing

What figure would you like to assess? (Provide the phrase in which the figure is mentioned)

[−−]

Question 1. Origin of the figure

Answer question 1a

1a.

Is the publication in which the figure is reported a primary publication?

Yes/no

If yes, go to question 2; if no, answer question 1b and 1c

1b.

Is the primary publication known?

Yes/no

1c.

Is the primary publication verifiable?

Yes/no

Question 2. Credibility of the figure

Answer question 2a and 2b

2a.

How do you rate the credibility of the primary publication?

Scale

2b.

How do you rate the independence of the author of the primary publication in relation to this particular figure?

Scale

Question 3. Expression of the figure

Answer question 3a

3a.

Is the figure expressed in absolute terms?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 3c; if no, answer question 3b; if the figure is not taken from a primary publication, answer question 3c

3b.

Is the figure expressed in relative terms?

Yes/no

3c.

Does the figure you are assessing match the figure in the primary publication?

Yes/no

Question 4. Subject to which the figure applies

Answer question 4a; if the figure is not taken from a primary publication, answer question 4b

4a.

How do you rate the clarity with which the subject is described in the primary publication?

Scale

4b.

Does the definition of the subject of the figure you are assessing match the definition of the subject in the primary publication?

Yes/no

Question 5. Population to which the figure applies

Answer question 5a; if the figure is not taken from a primary publication, answer question 5b

5a.

How do you rate the clarity with which the population is described in the primary publication?

Scale

5b.

Does the definition of the population of the figure you are assessing match the definition in the primary publication?

Yes/no

Question 6. Geographical area to which the figure applies

Answer question 6a; if the figure is not taken from a primary publication, answer question 6b

6a.

How do you rate the clarity with which the geographical area is described in the primary publication?

Scale

6b.

Does the geographical area of the figure you are assessing match the geographical area in the primary publication?

Yes/no

Question 7. Time period to which the figure applies

Answer question 7a; if the figure is not taken from a primary publication, answer question 7b

7a.

Is the time period in which the units are counted described in the primary publication?

Yes/no

7b.

Does the time period to which the figure applies match the time period in the primary publication?

Yes/no

Question 8 till 13: Methods of counting and measuring

Question 8. Data collection

Answer question 8a; if no, answer question 8b. If yes, go to question 9

8a.

Are the data on which the figure is based collected periodically?

Yes/no

8b.

Are the data on which the figure is based collected only once?

Yes/no

Question 9. Sample

Answer question 9a

9a.

Is the figure based on a sample?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e, and then question 10; if no, go to question 10

9b.

Is the sample size known?

Yes/no

9c.

Is the response known?

Yes/no

9d.

Were important groups disregarded in the calculation of the figure?

Yes/no

9e.

How do you rate the representativeness of the sample?

Scale

Question 10. Registration

Answer question 10a

10a.

Were the data collected through an existing registration?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 10b; if no, go to question 11

10b.

Is it known which registration was used?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 10c; if no, go to question 11

10c.

How do you rate the usability of this registration for the calculation of this specific figure?

Scale

Question 11. Survey research

Answer question 11a

11a.

Were the data collected through survey research?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 11b and 11c; if no, go to question 12

11b.

Are the questions on which the figure is based described precisely?

Yes/no

11c.

Are the answer categories of the questions described?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 11d; if no, go to question 12

11d.

How do you rate the conclusion that was made based on the questions and the answer categories?

Scale

Question 12. Direct observations

Answer question 12a

12a.

Are the data collected through direct observations?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 12b; if no, go to question 13

12b.

Is it known how the direct observations took place?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 12c; if no, go to question 13

12c.

How do you rate the accuracy of the direct observations?

Scale

Question 13. Modelling

Answer question 13a

13a.

Was the figure constructed through modelling?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 13b; if no, go to the final assessment

13b.

Are the assumptions which were made in the model known?

Yes/no

If yes, answer question 13c; if no, go to the final assessment

13c.

How do you rate the plausibility of the assumptions made in the model?

Scale

Final assessment

Your final assessment of the figure in the primary publication

14.

The original figure is correct

Rate by giving 1 to 5 stars

Your final assessment of the publication in which the figure is reported:

15.

The use of the figure in the report is appropriate

Rate by giving 1 to 5 stars