Question 1
1. Example 1
Title: Impact of frequent intake of energy-dense drink on malnutrition status among Pakistani children: a cross-sectional study
Background: Energy-dense drinks claim to be able to provide the macro- and micro-nutrients required to boost energy. Not a lot of study has been reported in this area.
Research Hypothesis/Hypotheses: Null hypothesis 1: Prevalence of malnutrition is the same for children who consume and do not consume energy-dense drinks; Alternative hypothesis 2: Prevalence of malnutrition among children is not associated with intake of energy-dense drink
Study design: A cross-sectional study in Pakistan will be conducted in July 2017.
Sampling technique: Gender-stratified sampling technique of all children who live in Pakistan aged between 0 and 5 years old.
Data collection: Dietary intake, height and weight of the children will be collected using mobile phone application (app), standardized stadiometer and calibrated weighing scale on the first day of every month.
Statistical analyses: Percentage of malnutrition will be reported. Association between malnutrition and consumption will be tested using Chi-squared test. The significance level will be set at 0.05.
Ethics application: Indian Board of Ethics
Limitations of the study: Will not include children who die prematurely, and hence their cause of death. Not able to deduce cumulative effect.
Significance of the study: This plan will provide a sustainable model to prevent ill health.
Has the title included the exposure and outcome factors?
a. Yes, the exposure factor is drink intake and the outcome factor is malnutrition.
b. Yes, the exposure factor is malnutrition and the outcome factor is drink intake.
c. Yes, the exposure factor is malnutrition and the outcome factor is children intake of drinks.
d. No, it only stated the target population.
1 points
Question 2
1. Has the gap of knowledge been noted in the background section of Example 1?
Yes, it is to study malnutrition.
Yes, it is to study drink intake in Pakistan.
No, it is unclear which malnutrition status (stunted or wasted or both) will be investigated.
No, it is unclear if the gap lies around children in developing countries or children who live in rural areas of developed countries.
No, it is unclear if the lack of evidence is around the long-term impact of specific types of drink or children or both.
1 points
Question 3
1. Are the research hypothesis statements written clearly and correctly in Example 1?
a. Yes.
b. No, the alternative hypothesis needs to be stated too.
c. No, alternative hypothesis 2 should state that there is an association.
d. No, it is unclear if it can address the gap of knowledge.
e. Both c and d are correct.
1 points
Question 4
1. Is the proposed sampling technique in Example 1 appropriate to answer the gap of knowledge and the research hypothesis?
a. Yes.
b. Yes, if the gap of knowledge is around difference of impact by gender of the children.
c. No, a simple random sampling technique would be able to reduce selection bias provided that there is a list similar to national registry.
d. No, a purposive sampling technique would always be better to target the population of interest.
e. Both b and c would be fine had the gap of knowledge and the research hypothesis been communicated clearer.
1 points
Question 5
1. What are the validated tools that will be used to collect data in Example 1?
a. Height and weight measurements
b. Standardized stadiometer and calibrated weighing scale
c. Standardized stadiometer and calibrated weighing scale and mobile app
d. Blood and urine analyses
1 points
Question 6
1. Are there any ethical concerns from Example 1?
a. Children who have allergies may be forced to consume the drinks.
b. The choice of the ethics committee does not exist.
c. All of the above
d. Unable to comment
1 points
Question 7
1. How would you improve the draft synopsis in Example 1?
a. State the gap of knowledge clearly
b. Align the choice of study design so that it can test the stated research hypotheses
c. Clarify the selection criteria that will be applied during sampling technique
d. Align the data collection plan with the study design to address the gap of knowledge
e. Ensure the choice of ethics committee and any ethical issues are considered
f. Revise the significance of the study so that there is no speculation of the results, no over-promise in terms of the outcome of the study and is relevant to the gap of knowledge
g. All of the above