Table 2.

Evaluation of articles according to SURGE criteria: title, abstract, introduction, and methods

Section	Description of the criterion	Categories	n
Title and abstract	It states the word ‘questionnaire’ or ‘survey’ in the title and/or abstract.	1. In title and abstract	19
		2. In title or abstract	78
		3. No	2
Introduction	There is an explanation of why the research is necessary.	1. Yes	99
		2. No	0
	It indicates the purpose or objective	1. Yes	99
		2. No	0
Methods	It describes the questionnaire/provides access to the items in the questionnaire	1. Questionnaire provided	45
Research instrument		2. Central questions provided	26
		3. A complete question provided	0
		4. Questions not provided	28
	If an existing instrument was used, its psychometric properties were mentioned: confidence and validity	1. Yes	18
		2. No	32
		3. Not applicable	49
	If an existing instrument was used, references to the original study are provided.	1. Yes	47
		2. No	3
		3. Not applicable	49
	In a new instrument, the procedures used to develop it and/or the methods used for the pretest are mentioned.	1. Yes	26
		2. No	23
		3. Not applicable	50
	In a new instrument, its validity and confidence were reported.	1. Both	4
		2. Only confidence	7
		3. Only validity	2
		4. None	36
		5. Not applicable	50
	It describes the scoring procedures	1. Yes	77
		2. No	6
		3. Not applicable	16
Sample selection	It describes the study population and sampling frame.	1. Both	46
		2. Study population	28
		3. Sampling frame	1
		4. None	24
	It describes the representativeness of the sample.	1. Yes	87
		2. No	12
	It presents a sample size calculation or justification of it.	1. Yes	81
		2. No	18
Survey administration	The mode of administration of the survey to participants is specified.	1. In person	75
		2. Mail	6
		3. Mixed	5
		4. Not mentioned	13
	Type and number of contacts	1. Type and number	33
		2. Only type	53
		3. No information	13
	Financial or other incentives to study participants.	1. Yes	6
		2. No	93
	Description of who approached potential participants.	1. Yes	38
		2. No	61
Analysis	It describes the method of data analysis.	1. Adequate (complete)	91
		2. Inadequate (incomplete)	4
		3. Does not describe	4
	It mentions the methods for nonresponse error analysis.	1. Yes	0
		2. No	99
	It mentions the method for calculating the response rate.	1. Yes	0
		2. No	99
	It mentions definitions for complete versus partial endings.	1. Yes	37
		2. No	62
	It mentions methods for handling missing item data.	1. Yes	5
		2. No	94