Table 2.
Advantages and challenges of standardizing outcomes across all reviews for a particular condition
| Advantages | n | Challenges | n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantage for a systematic review/meta-analysis |
39 |
Development of a COS |
23 |
| Improves interpretation/guidance |
19 |
Something about scope |
21 |
| Outcome likely to be more appropriate |
16 |
How to persuade authors/trialists/industry to implement |
20 |
| Advantage for the design of a new study |
13 |
‘How’ to measure once the ‘what’ has been decided |
11 |
| Improves something about the outcome itself |
6 |
Important outcomes not currently being measured |
2 |
| Reduces outcome reporting bias |
6 |
Resource to develop |
2 |
| Reduces resource requirement |
1 |
Updating process |
2 |
| Conflict of interest | 1 |