| 1) Question/objective sufficiently described? |
Primary study question or objective is clearly stated |
Unclear question/objective or no question/objective |
|
| 2) Design appropriate to answer study question? |
Study design is clearly stated and makes sense according to the study question/objective |
E.g. uses convenient samples or study does not give enough information to determine study design |
|
| 3) Methods described in sufficient detail to allow for study to be replicated? |
Samples, reagents, assay used to measure prostaglandins are sufficiently described, methods for sample collection are clearly described |
Some information missing or no information/ insufficient information is given on samples, reagents, assays, methods for sample collection |
|
| 4) Researchers used blinding? |
Yes |
No |
|
| 5) Sample number sufficient for internal validity? |
Study has pre-planned sample size and/or power analysis or confidence intervals suggest sufficient sample size |
No power analysis or confidence intervals suggest insufficient sample size |
|
| 6) Appropriate negative controls? |
Control group is appropriate to answer study question |
Controls are from a clearly different population |
|
| 7) Appropriate statistical analysis? |
There is a comparison of means with appropriate transformations of data |
No statistical analysis provided |
|
| 8) Results reported in sufficient detail? |
Results match methods i.e. all prostaglandins measured are reported on |
Some measurements missing from results |
|
| 9) Do the results support the conclusion? |
Conclusion makes sense given results and answers primary study question/objective |
Conclusion is overstated based on results or not related to main study question and main results |
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