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. 2010 May;19(4):539-49.
doi: 10.1007/s11136-010-9606-8. Epub 2010 Feb 19.

The COSMIN checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties of health status measurement instruments: an international Delphi study

Lidwine B Mokkink  1 , Caroline B Terwee, Donald L Patrick, Jordi Alonso, Paul W Stratford, Dirk L Knol, Lex M Bouter, Henrica C W de Vet
Affiliations

The COSMIN checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties of health status measurement instruments: an international Delphi study

Lidwine B Mokkink et al. Qual Life Res. 2010 May.

Abstract

Background: Aim of the COSMIN study (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments) was to develop a consensus-based checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties. We present the COSMIN checklist and the agreement of the panel on the items of the checklist.

Methods: A four-round Delphi study was performed with international experts (psychologists, epidemiologists, statisticians and clinicians). Of the 91 invited experts, 57 agreed to participate (63%). Panel members were asked to rate their (dis)agreement with each proposal on a five-point scale. Consensus was considered to be reached when at least 67% of the panel members indicated 'agree' or 'strongly agree'.

Results: Consensus was reached on the inclusion of the following measurement properties: internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, content validity (including face validity), construct validity (including structural validity, hypotheses testing and cross-cultural validity), criterion validity, responsiveness, and interpretability. The latter was not considered a measurement property. The panel also reached consensus on how these properties should be assessed.

Conclusions: The resulting COSMIN checklist could be useful when selecting a measurement instrument, peer-reviewing a manuscript, designing or reporting a study on measurement properties, or for educational purposes.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
COSMIN taxonomy of relationships of measurement properties
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The 4-step procedure to complete the COSMIN checklist
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