Research Projects
COSMIN is involved in many research projects and is continually developing new tools and publishing about selecting outcome measurement instruments.
Online course for conducting a systematic review of PROMs
We are developing an online course on how to conduct a systematic review of PROMs using the COSMIN methodology, intended for new and more experienced review authors. The course will guide learners through the steps for conducting a systematic reviews. It will explain what to do in each step, and how to make decisions for commonly experienced challenges and choices, including the consequences of these decisions. The course can be followed online, at a learners own pace, and contains a variety of formats, including text, animations, videos, exercises and quizzes. A unique feature of this course is that we offer seven personal, live zoom meetings, in which the developers of the COSMIN methodology will answer questions and discuss more complex assignments, situations and dilemmas. The live meetings will be organized over a two-month period. Keep an eye on the COSMIN website, as more information will follow next year!
New papers published:
Studies on Reliability and Measurement Error of Measurements in Medicine – From Design to Statistics Explained for Medical Researchers
Reliability and measurement error are important measurement proporties that require adequate study. Our latest paper explains these concepts visually and guides researchers to design, analyse, control and report on sources of variation that may affect measurement.
This paper is published in Patient Related Outcome Measures
Sample size recommendations for reliability studies
Tailored recommendations for sample size requirement for reliability studies are provided in an app.
The paper is published in Health Serv Outcomes Res Method.
These studies is funded by ZonMw (The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development).
PRISMA-COSMIN reporting guideline for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments
In collaboration with the EnRICH team of the SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Canada, we are developing a PRISMA-COSMIN reporting guideline for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments. Key information is often lacking in published systematic review reports on outcome measurement instruments, which makes it difficult to judge the quality of these instruments. By creating a reporting guideline which gives review authors specific guidance on how to report their systematic review of outcome measurement instruments, we aim to improve the accuracy and completeness of information in these reports. This will facilitate the ease of interpretation and uptake of these reviews, and help researchers and clinicians to select the most suitable outcome measurement instrument for their purpose. Ultimately, it will improve the quality of outcome measurement instruments used in research and clinical practice.
The study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
COSMIN for KIDS toolbox – in Dutch only
Children in the Netherlands developed a toolbox for measuring and improving morning activities at home, in order to leave home on time: COSMIN (Controle in de Ochtend Spel-Monitoring IktiviteiteN) voor Kids (CvK) toolbox.
Publications
Original publications
Mokkink LB, Eekhout I, Boers M, van der Vleuten CP, de Vet HC. Studies on Reliability and Measurement Error of Measurements in Medicine – From Design to Statistics Explained for Medical Researchers. Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2023;14:193-212
https://doi.org/10.2147/PROM.S398886
Mokkink, L.B., de Vet, H., Diemeer, S., Eekhout, I. Sample size recommendations for studies on reliability and measurement error: an online application based on simulation studies. Health Serv Outcomes Res Method 23, 241–265 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10742-022-00293-9
Mokkink LB, Boers M, van der Vleuten CPM, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, De Vet HCW, and Terwee CB. COSMIN Risk of Bias tool to assess the quality of studies on reliability or measurement error of outcome measurement instruments: a Delphi study. BMC Medical Research Methodology (2020) 20:293 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01179-5
Gagnier JJ, Lai J, Mokkink LB, Terwee CB. COSMIN reporting guideline for studies on measurement properties of patient‑reported outcome measures. Quality of Life Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02822-4
Prinsen CAC, Mokkink LB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, de Vet HCW, Terwee CB. COSMIN guideline for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures. Qual Life Res. 2018 May;27(5):1147-1157. doi: 10.1007/s11136-018-1798-3.
Terwee CB, Prinsen CAC, Chiarotto A, Westerman MJ, Patrick DL, Alonso J, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW, Mokkink LB. COSMIN methodology for evaluating the content validity of patient-reported outcome measures: a Delphi study. Qual Life Res. 2018 May;27(5):1159-1170. doi: 10.1007/s11136-018-1829-0.
Mokkink LB, de Vet HCW, Prinsen CAC, Patrick DL, Alonso J, Bouter LM, Terwee CB. COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist for systematic reviews of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. Qual Life Res. 2018 May;27(5):1171-1179. doi: 10.1007/s11136-017-1765-4.
Prinsen CA, Vohra S, Rose MR, Boers M, Tugwell P, Clarke M, Williamson PR, Terwee CB. How to select outcome measurement instruments for outcomes included in a “Core Outcome Set” – a practical guideline. Trials. 2016 Sep 13;17(1):449. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1555-2.
Mokkink LB, Prinsen CA, Bouter LM, Vet HC, Terwee CB. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and how to select an outcome measurement instrument. Braz J Phys Ther. 2016 Jan 19;20(2):105-13. doi: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0143.
Terwee CB, Prinsen CAC, Ricci Garotti MG, Suman A, de Vet HCW, Mokkink LB. The quality of systematic reviews of health-related outcome measurement instruments. Quality of Life Research 2016;25(4):767-79.
Terwee CB, Mokkink LB, Knol DL, Ostelo RWJG, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. Rating the methodological quality in systematic reviews of studies on measurement properties: a scoring system for the COSMIN checklist. Quality of Life Research 2012;21(4):651-7.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Patrick DL, Alonso J, Stratford PW, Knol DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. International consensus on taxonomy, terminology, and definitions of measurement properties for health-related patient-reported outcomes: results of the COSMIN study. Journal of Clinical Epidemology 2010;63:737-745. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.02.006.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Patrick DL, Alonso J, Stratford PW, Knol DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. The COSMIN checklist for assessing the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties of health status measurement instruments: an international Delphi study. Quality of Life Research 2010;19:539-549. doi: 10.1007/s11136-010-9606-8.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Knol DL, Stratford PW, Alonso J, Patrick DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. The COSMIN checklist for evaluating the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties: A clarification of its content. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2010;10:22. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-10-22.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Gibbons E, Stratford PW, Alonso J, Patrick DL, Knol DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. Inter-rater reliability of the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments) Checklist. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2010;10:82. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-10-82.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Stratford PW, Alonso J, Patrick DL, Riphagen I, Knol DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. Evaluation of the methodological quality of systematic reviews of health status measurement instruments. Quality of Life Research 2009;18:313-333. doi: 10.1007/s11136-009-9451-9.
Terwee CB, Jansma EP, Riphagen II, de Vet HC. Development of a methodological PubMed search filter for finding studies on measurement properties of measurement instruments. Qual Life Res. 2009 Oct;18(8):1115-23. doi: 10.1007/s11136-009-9528-5.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Knol DL, Stratford PW, Alonso J, Patrick DL, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. Protocol of the COSMIN study: COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2006;6:2.
Comments & Letters to editors
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Bouter LM, Alonso J, Patrick DL, De Vet HCW. Reply to the concerns raised by McKenna and Heaney about COSMIN. Journal of Medical Economics, 2021, 24:1, 857-859, DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2021.1948231
Terwee CB, Mokkink LB, Hidding LM, Altenburg TM, van Poppel MN, Chinapaw MJ. Comment on “Should we reframe how we think about physical activity and sedentary behavior measurement? Validity and reliability reconsidered”. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2016 Jun 10;13:66. doi: 10.1186/s12966-016-0392-8.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Prinsen CA, de Vet HC; COSMIN Steering Committee. Taxonomy of measurement properties: A commentary on Polit (2015). Int J Nurs Stud. 2016 Jan;53:399-400. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.08.010.
Terwee CB, de Vet HCW, Mokkink LB. Reply to “COSMIN for quality rating systematic reviews on psychometric properties”. Accepted Physical Therapy Reviews Juni 2015.
Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Knol DL, de Vet HCW. The new COSMIN guidelines regarding responsiveness. Author’s response. BMC Med Res Methodol 2011;11:152.
Comment on “Checklist to operationalize measurement characteristics of patient-reported outcome measures”
Francis DO, McPheeters ML, Noud M, Penson DF, Feurer ID. Checklist to operationalize measurement characteristics of patient-reported outcome measures. Syst Rev 2016;5(1):129.
Copyright and permission to use COSMIN materials
How to use COSMIN materials
COSMIN materials on this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from VUmc, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. Please ask permission from the journal in which it is published as you wish to copy materials from publications as they own the copyright of published materials. No use may be made for resale or for any other commercial purposes whatsoever withour prior permission in writing from VUmc. Enquiries should be addressed to VUmc at the address noted below:
p/a LB Mokkink,
dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
VUmc, F-vleugel medische faculteit,
De Boelelaan 1089a,
1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands