Table 1 Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group (CCCG) resources, content and purpose
Resource | Content | Purpose (problem addressed), examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
General resources that apply across review sections | Standardised text on the review methods (for adaptation) for use in RevMan [71] Identifies key issues associated with implementing the methods within each section of the protocol and review Provides reference to relevant sections of the Cochrane Handbook [52], to foundational documents (CCCG Study quality guide, CCCG Study Design guide) with cross-referencing to more specific CCCG supplemental guides | To support the application and reporting of methods in protocols and reviews Understanding and applying methods, for example: • Consistently rating risk of bias domains • Selecting outcomes for analysis Reporting methods, for example: • Describing methods and decisions adequately for replication • Reporting decisions related to grouping of studies and analyses transparently | |
Data extraction template [72] | For use as a basis for planning the data extraction stage of reviews, and for piloting and adaptation to specific review content areas as required Template builds on research and earlier CCCG versions, Methodological Expectations for Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) standards [55] and other standards such as TIDieR (Template for intervention description and replication) [58] | To improve reporting of methods, intervention, other key component features, and findings and so support extraction of data that is meaningful for interpreting the findings of the review Reporting review methods, for example: • Describing methods and decisions adequately for replication • Justifying inclusion of additional (non-randomised controlled trial (RCT)) study designs • Acknowledging changes from protocol methods, including changes to selection criteria Interpreting findings, for example: • Considering quality of evidence alongside findings • Considering size, precision and direction of effects as well as results of tests of statistical significance | |
Resources with a specific focus | Short supplemental guides | Guides on specific issues commonly found to be problematic for authors in the context of communication reviews, designed to supplement the Cochrane Handbook [52] and related materials (e.g. Cochrane Training materials [73]) Developed in conjunction with editorial and statistical experts | Aim primarily to assist with understanding and applying specific review methods; they also intend, generally speaking, to prompt authors to improve reporting of the decisions made while performing the review Understanding, applying review methods, for example: • Cluster RCTs • Identifying comparisons • Heterogeneity and subgroup analysis • Meta-analysis • Narrative data synthesis and analysis |
Guides to support use of specific, complex methods | Guides to support implementation of specific methods, developed in response to MECIR [55] and in areas where major learning gaps or uncertainties were identified Developed in conjunction with editorial and methodological experts | To help with applying complex methods to reviews of complex interventions, and to improve reporting both of the methods used and decisions made; they also aim to support authors interpret their findings Applying methods, for example: • How to GRADE • Summary of findings • Describing results Reporting review methods, for example: • Describing methods and decisions adequately for replication • Acknowledging changes from protocol methods, including changes to selection criteria Interpreting findings, for example: • Considering certainty of evidence alongside findings • Considering size, precision and direction of effects • Describing results consistently | |
Resources with a conceptual focus | Information to support conceptual development of complex communication reviews | Tools to support conceptual framing of interventions and outcomes related to communication, and to prompt authors to consider theoretical models underpinning the review question Resources developed in conjunction with editorial and methodological experts Conceptual papers resulted from research projects | To help with applying complex methods to the development of reviews of complex interventions • Taxonomy of outcomes • Intervention taxonomies:  o Consumers’ medicine use interventions  o Childhood vaccination communication interventions • Examples of theoretical models |