Area
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Checklist items
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Grading from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree)
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Explanations
(Provide explanation to justify your grading of each of the items)
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Overall assessment of the paper
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The background introduces a specific question and spells out objectives on the basis of a description of general and specific issues.
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The methods section provides sufficient information on design, sampling, definitions, data collection, laboratory methods and data analysis.
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The results section reports sound scientific data that meet the objectives. There are enough details and adequate statistical information.
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The discussion section interprets the results to build a case on the basis of the data presented and the literature.
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The limitations are described and analysed so that their impact on the capacity to conclude are well understood.
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The paper suggests next steps in terms of intervention and gathering additional evidence on the basis of the evidence presented.
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Methods
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The design is adequate to meet the objectives.
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The population is well defined and relevant to the objectives.
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Definitions are specified, sound and based upon standardized criteria when available.
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Sampling methods are statistically sound and adapted.
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The sample size was estimated beforehand appropriately and is adequate.
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The design is exempt from bias.
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The data that were collected are well described and relevant.
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The data was collected with methods ensuring sufficient quality.
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The analysis is thought beforehand and appropriate.
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The indicators generated are appropriate and well calculated.
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The statistical tests are appropriate and well computed.
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Appropriate attention has been given to human subject protection.
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Writing
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The content is well distributed in the relevant chapters and sections.
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The language is simple and clear. The word count is < 3000.
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The writing is sequential, going from one point to the next.
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The active voice is used throughout.
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The vocabulary is precise, consistent and standardized.
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Tables and figures
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There are no more than five relevant and useful tables and or figures.
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The choice of graph or table to display information is judicious.
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The tables are clear, exact and the totals add up.
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The graphs are effective, appropriate, understandable and they have a low ink-to-data ratio.
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