Reflection on designing a project

Reflect on the following aspects of your research study:

The study design.

• Have you stated a study hypothesis and/or research question(s)?
• Is the design chosen clear, and is it appropriate for the study hypothesis or research questions?
• Have you thought about the choice of design against other possible options?

Target population and study samples.

• Are the target population and study samples consistent with the study hypothesis / research question(s)?
• Are the population and study samples adequately described and thought through.
• Are inclusion and exclusion criteria defined?

Sample size and sampling process.

• Has a sample size calculation been conducted?
• Is the sampling process clear and feasible?

Study methods and data collection.

• Are the methods and data collection clear and feasible?
• Is the measurement of the study and outcome factors clear and valid?
• Has measurement of potential confounding factors been considered?
• Have details of the analysis been considered?

Timeframe.

• Have major milestones been identified?
• Are the sequence and timing logical and appropriate?

Ethical considerations.

• Has institutional ethical approval been described?
• Do you plan to obtain informed consent?
• Has anonymity, confidentiality and privacy been considered?
• Is data handling/storage appropriate?
• Are there other ethical issues?

Limitations of study including potential bias.

• Have the limitations been considered?
• Might there be any biases, including selection, information and confounding?
• Have processes to reduce bias been identified (if appropriate)?