Table 1.
Illustration of assigning points for adherence to SPIRIT checklist items according to different approaches
| SPIRIT item number | Item hierarchy | Value | Assigned points according to approach | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major items (simple) | Major items (allowing for partial credit) | All items | |||
| 1 (total) | Major item | Yes | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 17 (total) | Major item | No | 0 | 0.8334 | 3 |
| 17a.1 | Component 1 of subitem 17a | No | n/a | 0.1667 | 1 |
| 17a.2 | Component 2 of subitem 17a | Yes | n/a | 0.1667 | 1 |
| 17a.3 | Component 3 of subitem 17a | No | n/a | 0 | 0 |
| 17b | Subitem 17b | Yes | n/a | 0.5 | 1 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 20 (total) | Major item | Yes | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 20a | Subitem 20a | Yes | n/a | 0.3333 | 1 |
| 20b | Subitem 20b | Yes | n/a | 0.3333 | 1 |
| 20c | Subitem 20c | Yes | n/a | 0.3333 | 1 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
n/a not applicable, SPIRIT Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials