Checklist for registering a new Methods Group

In their registration application, the proposed Methods Group must specify which elective core functions (if any) will be adopted for the first two-year period in addition to the three core functions that apply to all Methods Groups. Only those sections of this checklist that are applicable to the three core functions that apply to all Methods Groups and to specified elective core functions are used to assess the registration application.  

Process

1. Is the Methods Group dealing with a substantial methodological issue not already under investigation within The Cochrane Collaboration?

2. Is the methodological area a core topic relevant to all or a subset of Cochrane Reviews, or an area of new methodological development which may influence the way in which Cochrane Reviews will be undertaken in the future?

3. Has the Methods Group contacted the reference Cochrane Centre (to ensure linkage to other interested individuals), and obtained a letter of support?

4. Has the Methods Group held at least one exploratory meeting involving relevant members of The Cochrane Collaboration, including a representative from the Monitoring and Registration Committee (i.e. a MaRC representative should be invited to attend, either in person, by VOIP or by teleconference, but if they cannot attend, the registration process and a provisional agenda for the meeting should be discussed with the relevant MaRC representatives in advance)?

5. Has the Methods Group provided a draft module and an outline of the proposed focus of its activities and outputs against its proposed core functions for at least the first two years post-registration?

6. Has the Methods Group provided letters of indicative support from relevant individuals and entities within The Cochrane Collaboration with related scope and responsibilities?

7. Has the Methods Group agreed its elective core functions with the Methods Executive?

Core functions

Providing policy advice

8. Will the Methods Group respond to requests from the Handbook Editorial Advisory Panel (HEAP) or Methods Board to produce or update material relevant to their aims and scope for inclusion in the relevant sections of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and/or the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy within a reasonable time period?

9. For methods innovations and developments, will the Methods Group produce interim reports for dissemination and discussion throughout the Collaboration?

10. Will the Methods Group respond to requests channelled through the Methods Board or the Methods Executive, or received directly from Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) to provide methodological advice intended for use to inform Cochrane Collaboration policy (including the policies of individual CRGs)?

Serving as a forum for discussion

11. Will the Methods Group hold appropriate forums for discussion and disseminate the outcomes appropriately?

12. Will the Methods Group implement an e-mail discussion or distribution list for its members?

Ensuring that the Group functions as part of The Cochrane Collaboration

13. Will the Methods Group ensure effective communication between members of the Group and other Cochrane entities?

14. Will the Methods Group ensure its module is updated at least annually and the convenors’ and co-ordinators’ contact details are up to date in Archie (the Collaboration’s Information Management System)?

15. Will the Methods Group instigate a plan to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the Group as long as there is a programme of work to be completed?

Providing training (if applicable, elective core function)

16. Will the Methods Group submit proposals to provide methods training workshops at colloquia?

17. Will the Methods Group respond to requests made by the Training Working Group, Cochrane Centres and/or the Methods Board to develop and provide methods training materials for contributors to The Cochrane Collaboration?

Hosting a network of CRG-based methods individuals (if applicable, elective core function)

18. Will the Methods Group enlist at least one individual from each CRG to be part of this network?

19. Will the Methods Group maintain an up-to-date list of CRG-based methods individuals in Archie?

20. Will the Methods Group provide a discussion forum such as an e-mail list/blog?

21. Will the Methods Group provide backup for methods questions that are not resolved by CRGs (resolution of unanswered questions)?

22. Will the Methods Group ensure that training material and handbook guidance is understood by CRG-based methods individuals?

23. Will the Methods Group provide feedback on work undertaken within CRGs if requested (e.g. ‘Is this Summary of Findings table acceptable?’)?

Providing peer review (if applicable, elective core function)

24. Will the Methods Group implement a mechanism to identify members willing to provide peer review of relevant components of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews on behalf of the Methods Group?

25. Will the Methods Group implement a process to offer timely peer review of relevant components of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews?

26. Will the Methods Group communicate the availability of peer review and the process to be used to access this service to CRGs?

27. Will the Methods Group set target response times for provision of peer review of relevant components of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews?

28. Will the Methods Group be able to provide peer review within target response times?

Providing specialist advice (if applicable, elective core function)

29. Will the Methods Group implement a mechanism to identify members willing to provide specialist advice on behalf of the Methods Group to support production of relevant components of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews?

30. Will the Methods Group implement a process for members to offer timely specialist advice to support production of relevant components of Cochrane Protocols and Reviews?

31. Will the Methods Group communicate the availability of specialist advice and the process to be used to access this service to CRGs and/or individual authors?

32. Will the Methods Group set target response times for provision of specialist advice on a case-by-case basis?

33. Will the Methods Group be able to provide specialist advice within target response times?

Contributing to new products or lines of activity (if applicable, elective core function)

34. Will the Methods Group identify specific new products or lines of activity to which a contribution will be made in consultation with the Methods Board, the Methods Executive and other stakeholder groups within the Collaboration (e.g. Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group, the Cochrane Editorial Unit), as appropriate?

35. Will the Methods Group set targets and deadlines for deliverables (outputs) on a case-by-case basis?

36. Will the Methods Group be able to meet targets and deadlines for deliverables (outputs)?

Contributing to software development (if applicable, elective core function)

37. Will the Methods Group identify specific software to which a contribution will be made?

38. Will the Methods Group set targets and deadlines for deliverables (outputs) on a case-by-case basis?

39. Will the Methods Group be able to meet targets and deadlines for deliverables (outputs)?

Conducting Cochrane methodology reviews (if applicable, elective core function)

40. Will the Methods Group set targets for registration of titles for new Cochrane methodology reviews with the Cochrane Methodology Review Group (CMRG)?

41. Will the Methods Group set targets for publication of new CMRG protocols in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)?

42. Will the Methods Group set targets for publication of new or update Cochrane methodology reviews in the CDSR?

43. Will the Methods Group be able to meet targets for registration of titles with the CMRG and publication of CMRG protocols and new or update CMRG reviews in the CDSR?

Contributing to the Cochrane Methodology Register (CMR) (if applicable, elective core function)

44. Will the Methods Group implement a mechanism (in consultation with the CMR) to identify studies relevant to the methods of systematic reviews of healthcare and social interventions that fall within the aims and scope of the Group?

45. Will the Methods Group contribute details of methodology studies relevant to the aims and scope of the Group to the CMR on at least a quarterly basis (deadlines to be agreed with the CMR)?

46. Will the Methods Group implement a process (in consultation with the CMR) to tag CMR records of articles by Group members?

Helping to monitor and improve the quality of Cochrane Reviews (if applicable, elective core function)

47. Will the Methods Group respond to requests channelled via the Methods Board or Methods Executive for specialist input to active monitoring of aspects of the quality of Cochrane Reviews or initiatives aiming to improve the quality of Cochrane Reviews?

Conducting methodological research (if applicable, elective core function)

48. Will the Methods Group maintain (publicly or privately) an agenda for research relevant to their aims and scope that reflects the kinds of policy advice, training materials, peer review and specialist advice etc. they provide within the Collaboration?

49. Will the Methods Group seek funds for empirical or theoretical methodological research studies to be conducted (wholly or partly) under the auspices of the Methods Group?

Communicating Cochrane methodology to external organizations (if applicable, elective core function)

50. Will the Methods Group respond to requests from external organizations and networks to provide advice on and/or explain methodology (relevant to the aims and scope of the Group) that is used in the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane Reviews (within available resources)?

51. Will the Methods Group maintain a private register of external organizations and networks whose members would benefit most from advice on and/or explanation of methodology (relevant to the aims and scope of the Group) that is used in the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane Reviews?

52. Will the Methods Group offer advice or explanations of methodology (relevant to the aims and scope of the Group) that is used in the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane Reviews to external organizations and networks whose members would benefit most from this (within available resources)?”