A guide to evaluating survey research methodology in pediatric urology. Issue 2 (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Bruce; Shamsuddin, Adib; Braga, Luis H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric urology. Volume 17:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 263
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Survey research -- Questionnaire -- Research methodology; RCT Randomized controlled trial -- AHN Antenatal hydronephrosis -- CAP Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis -- VCUG Voiding cystourethrogram -- SFU The Society for Fetal Urology -- CAPN Canadian Association of Pediatric Nephrologists -- PUC Pediatric Urologists of Canada; Pediatric urology -- Periodicals; Urologic Diseases -- Periodicals; Urogenital Diseases -- Periodicals; Urologic Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Child; Infant; Urologie pédiatrique -- Périodiques; Appareil urinaire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie; Urologie; Pediatric urology; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.926
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-5131

Abstract

Summary: Surveys are one of the most common study designs in healthcare research. They are easy to undertake, have minimal cost and aim to obtain reliable and unbiased information from a population of interest. Surveys in pediatric surgery/urology are an effective tool for gathering information on clinical practices for rare and complex conditions that highlight information on their behavior, institutional disparities, and healthcare paradigms. This education article consists of using a published survey by one of the authors as an example to demonstrate both positive and negative aspects, including limitations, of survey design studies with the purpose of helping pediatric urologists develop a framework to create and critically appraise survey methodology. Using this approach, readers should be able to reliably discern the methodological quality of published surveys.