Table 2 Evaluation of articles according to SURGE criteria: title, abstract, introduction, and methods
Section | Description of the criterion | Categories | n |
|---|---|---|---|
Title and abstract | It states the word ‘questionnaire’ or ‘survey’ in the title and/or abstract. | 1. In title and abstract | 19 |
2. In title or abstract | 78 | ||
3. No | 2 | ||
Introduction | There is an explanation of why the research is necessary. | 1. Yes | 99 |
2. No | 0 | ||
It indicates the purpose or objective | 1. Yes | 99 | |
2. No | 0 | ||
Methods | It describes the questionnaire/provides access to the items in the questionnaire | 1. Questionnaire provided | 45 |
Research instrument | 2. Central questions provided | 26 | |
3. A complete question provided | 0 | ||
4. Questions not provided | 28 | ||
If an existing instrument was used, its psychometric properties were mentioned: confidence and validity | 1. Yes | 18 | |
2. No | 32 | ||
3. Not applicable | 49 | ||
If an existing instrument was used, references to the original study are provided. | 1. Yes | 47 | |
2. No | 3 | ||
3. Not applicable | 49 | ||
In a new instrument, the procedures used to develop it and/or the methods used for the pretest are mentioned. | 1. Yes | 26 | |
2. No | 23 | ||
3. Not applicable | 50 | ||
In a new instrument, its validity and confidence were reported. | 1. Both | 4 | |
2. Only confidence | 7 | ||
3. Only validity | 2 | ||
4. None | 36 | ||
5. Not applicable | 50 | ||
It describes the scoring procedures | 1. Yes | 77 | |
2. No | 6 | ||
3. Not applicable | 16 | ||
Sample selection | It describes the study population and sampling frame. | 1. Both | 46 |
2. Study population | 28 | ||
3. Sampling frame | 1 | ||
4. None | 24 | ||
It describes the representativeness of the sample. | 1. Yes | 87 | |
2. No | 12 | ||
It presents a sample size calculation or justification of it. | 1. Yes | 81 | |
2. No | 18 | ||
Survey administration | The mode of administration of the survey to participants is specified. | 1. In person | 75 |
2. Mail | 6 | ||
3. Mixed | 5 | ||
4. Not mentioned | 13 | ||
Type and number of contacts | 1. Type and number | 33 | |
2. Only type | 53 | ||
3. No information | 13 | ||
Financial or other incentives to study participants. | 1. Yes | 6 | |
2. No | 93 | ||
Description of who approached potential participants. | 1. Yes | 38 | |
2. No | 61 | ||
Analysis | It describes the method of data analysis. | 1. Adequate (complete) | 91 |
2. Inadequate (incomplete) | 4 | ||
3. Does not describe | 4 | ||
It mentions the methods for nonresponse error analysis. | 1. Yes | 0 | |
2. No | 99 | ||
It mentions the method for calculating the response rate. | 1. Yes | 0 | |
2. No | 99 | ||
It mentions definitions for complete versus partial endings. | 1. Yes | 37 | |
2. No | 62 | ||
It mentions methods for handling missing item data. | 1. Yes | 5 | |
2. No | 94 |