TABLE A1.

Checklist for future bottom-up intervention studies on work engagement.

Optimize the internal validity:

Aim for a feasible sample size

Include a control group – preferably apply a randomized controlled design

Report and control for baseline differences between the intervention and the control group

Report how well the sample characteristics matched the population characteristics

Report the dropout rate

Calculate the statistical power and report effect sizes

Report long-term effects of the intervention

If possible, include qualitative measures to answer the question of why and how the intervention worked/did not work and to explore potential unintended effects

Optimize the external validity:

Recruit participants from several organizations and occupational groups to increase generalizability

Use standardized and comparable instruments for primary and secondary outcomes

Contribute to under-researched topics:

Investigate intervention effects on the sub-components of work engagement

Study relevant sub-groups

Conduct interventions focused on self-management

Deliver interventions online

Ask the participants about their experiences of both the intervention design and outcomes

Conduct interventions in other contexts than health care

Conduct interventions based on samples from other continents than Europe