A Tool for the Critical Appraisal of IPD Meta-Analysis Projects (CheckMAP)

Jayne F. Tierney, Lesley A. Stewart, Claire L. Vale, Richard D. Riley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The CheckMAP tool provides a list of signalling questions to consider when checking and appraising an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis project, and answers of ‘yes’ to questions are indicative of higher quality. A summary of the CheckMAP assessment provides a useful overview of the quality of a particular IPD meta-analysis project. A key component of appraising an IPD meta-analysis project evaluating the treatment effects is determining whether it has been done as part of a systematic review. As for conventional systematic reviews, IPD meta-analysis projects require that explicit objectives and eligibility criteria are pre-specified to minimise bias in the selection of trials, participants and outcomes for inclusion. Clear objectives and eligibility criteria should have been backed up by a systematic and comprehensive search that seeks to identify all relevant trials. CheckMAP checklist and guidance on critical appraisal has focused on IPD meta-analyses that examine the efficacy of one particular treatment compared to a control.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIndividual Participant Data Meta-Analysis
Subtitle of host publicationa Handbook for Healthcare Research
PublisherWiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Chapter11
Pages271-283
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781119333784
ISBN (Print)9781119333722
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Apr 2021

Bibliographical note

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