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Assessing Quality in Systematic Literature Reviews: A Study of Novice Rater Training

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  • Sandra Acosta
  • Tiberio Garza
  • Hsien-Yuan Hsu
  • Patricia Goodson

Abstract

This study investigated performance variability when graduate students critically appraised original studies from a systematic review. Fourteen doctoral students from different academic programs, with no systematic review experience, received training on the Methodological Quality Questionnaire (MQQ) rating scale. Participants were mostly male (71%) and non-native English speakers (79%). Each rater was randomly assigned one original study to independently assess using the MQQ. Their scores were compared to an expert rater. Statistical analysis comprised the following: percentage of agreement (POA), Kappa coefficient, and Kendall’s tau-b correlation. On the completed MQQ rating scale, 43% of the novice raters had a POA of 78% or higher with the expert rater. From this case study, a guide for improving training on methodological quality assessment was developed. Benefits include the following: (a) developing and supporting critical reasoning as well as problem-solving skills and (b) increasing research skills and competencies in the systematic review process.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Acosta & Tiberio Garza & Hsien-Yuan Hsu & Patricia Goodson, 2020. "Assessing Quality in Systematic Literature Reviews: A Study of Novice Rater Training," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:3:p:2158244020939530
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244020939530
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    2. Littell, Julia H., 2008. "Evidence-based or biased? The quality of published reviews of evidence-based practices," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1299-1317, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zongguo Wang & Zaleha Abdullah & Wenhai Hu, 2025. "A Systematic Review of the Impact of Social Media on Project-Based Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-27, April.

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