Table 2.

11 questions to help you make sense of descriptive cross-sectional studies.

Screening Questions
1. Did the study address a clearly focused issue?	Yes Can’t tell No
2. Did the authors use an appropriate method to answer their question?	Yes Can’t tell No
Detailed Questions
3. Were the subjects recruited in an acceptable way?	Yes Can’t tell No
4. Were the measures accurately measured to reduce bias?	Yes Can’t tell No
5. Were the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue?	Yes Can’t tell No
6. Did the study have enough participants to minimise the play of chance?	Yes Can’t tell No
7. How are the results presented and what is the main result?	Yes Can’t tell No
8. Was the data analysis sufficiently rigorous?	Yes Can’t tell No
9. Is there a clear statement of findings?	Yes Can’t tell No
10. Can the results be applied to the local population?	Yes Can’t tell No
11. How valuable is the research?	Yes Can’t tell No

Adapted from Institute for Public Health Sciences.²⁷