Table 3.2.
Comparison of AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS
| Characteristic | AMSTAR-2 | ROBIS |
|---|---|---|
| Access | https://amstar.ca/Amstar-2.php | http://www.bristol.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/projects/robis/robis-tool/ |
| User guidance | Extensive | Extensive |
| Review type applicability | Intervention | Intervention, diagnostic, etiology, prognostica |
| Number of domains | 7 critical, 9 non-critical | 4 |
| Items | ||
| Total number | 16 | 29 |
| Response options | Items # 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16: rated yes or no. Items # 2, 4, 7, 8, 9b rated yes, partial yes, or no. Items # 11b, 12, 15: rated yes, partial yes, no, or no meta-analysis. |
24 assessment items: rated yes, probably yes, no information, probably no, or no. 5 items regarding level of concern: rated low, high, or unclear. |
| Overall rating | ||
| Construct | Confidence based on weaknesses in critical domains. | Level of concern for risk of bias. |
| Categories | High, moderate, low, and critically low | Low, high, unclear |
ROBIS includes an optional first phase to assess the applicability of the review to the research question of interest. The tool may be applicable to other review types in addition to the four specified, although modification of this initial phase will be needed (Personal Communication via email, Penny Whiting, 28 Jan 2022).
AMSTAR-2 item #9 and #11 require separate responses for RCTs and NRSI.