Article type
Abstract
"Background
Fundamental to good decision-making is assurance that supporting evidence is based on valid and unbiased assessments, evaluated using rigorously developed ´risk of bias´ (validity assessment) tools. There are a variety of tools available to assess studies of varying designs. It can be challenging to identify the most appropriate tool for use in a systematic review.
Objectives
To provide an update on the LATITUDES Network 12 months after its launch at the Cochrane Colloquium in London in 2023.
Description
We have established the LATITUDES Network (https://www.latitudes-network.org/), a publicly available website library of validity assessment tools and resources to guide reviewers in selecting the most appropriate tool for use in their systematic review. The internationally representative leadership team is comprised of five, evidence synthesis experts who have been supported by a competitively awarded academic-innovations grant. The 23-member advisory panel representing five continents has leant expertise to finalizing criteria for tool inclusion, identifying of key tools, and suggesting inclusion of additional tools.
The LATITUDES Network indexes validity assessment tools developed for healthcare studies in an online library. When launched we included ten key tools to help reviewers identify the optimum tool for their use. Nineteen additional tools met all screening criteria and are also included in the Library. Information characterizing each tool (e.g. citation and training materials) is provided. A mechanism for users to suggest new tools and register tools in development is provided.
This poster presentation will provide an update on progress with the LATITUDES website, including an overview of content one year after we launched LATITUDES Network. We expect to include many more tools in the library over the coming months and to enhance the training materials.
Conclusions
LATITUDES aims to be the primary resource that provides key information to reviewers conducting validity assessments for evidence synthesis. It is intended to increase the robustness of evidence synthesis by improving the process of validity assessment, helping reviewers use tools more effectively and efficiently, promoting best practices and harmonizing validity assessment across the globe.
"
Fundamental to good decision-making is assurance that supporting evidence is based on valid and unbiased assessments, evaluated using rigorously developed ´risk of bias´ (validity assessment) tools. There are a variety of tools available to assess studies of varying designs. It can be challenging to identify the most appropriate tool for use in a systematic review.
Objectives
To provide an update on the LATITUDES Network 12 months after its launch at the Cochrane Colloquium in London in 2023.
Description
We have established the LATITUDES Network (https://www.latitudes-network.org/), a publicly available website library of validity assessment tools and resources to guide reviewers in selecting the most appropriate tool for use in their systematic review. The internationally representative leadership team is comprised of five, evidence synthesis experts who have been supported by a competitively awarded academic-innovations grant. The 23-member advisory panel representing five continents has leant expertise to finalizing criteria for tool inclusion, identifying of key tools, and suggesting inclusion of additional tools.
The LATITUDES Network indexes validity assessment tools developed for healthcare studies in an online library. When launched we included ten key tools to help reviewers identify the optimum tool for their use. Nineteen additional tools met all screening criteria and are also included in the Library. Information characterizing each tool (e.g. citation and training materials) is provided. A mechanism for users to suggest new tools and register tools in development is provided.
This poster presentation will provide an update on progress with the LATITUDES website, including an overview of content one year after we launched LATITUDES Network. We expect to include many more tools in the library over the coming months and to enhance the training materials.
Conclusions
LATITUDES aims to be the primary resource that provides key information to reviewers conducting validity assessments for evidence synthesis. It is intended to increase the robustness of evidence synthesis by improving the process of validity assessment, helping reviewers use tools more effectively and efficiently, promoting best practices and harmonizing validity assessment across the globe.
"