KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The LATITUDES Network provides a much-needed resource for identifying and accessing reliable validity assessment tools, for use during evidence synthesis.
• LATITUDES is a parallel resource to the EQUATOR Network, with both acting to disseminate best practice in health research.

The LATITUDES Network was launched in late 2023 as a parallel resource to the EQUATOR Network. LATITUDES provides key validity assessment tools as part of a drive to “disseminate best methods and practice” for health research studies.

Why LATITUDES?

Although the EQUATOR Network has been instrumental in promoting transparent and accurate reporting guidelines, an equivalent resource for accessing appropriate, validated, and reliable critical appraisal tools has been lacking to date. These tools, also known as validity assessment tools, assess study quality in terms of:

• risk of bias or systematic error
• applicability of findings to real-world settings
• reporting quality.

How will LATITUDES help?

The LATITUDES Library lists tools that meet 4 specified inclusion criteria, such as being applicable to the wider research community, and assessing multidimensional aspects of validity within a study. Those which fulfil an additional 4 criteria are designated LATITUDES key tools. These tools:

• focus on risk of bias
• are developed by multidisciplinary teams
• avoid use of summary numerical quality scores
• incorporate domain specific or overall assessment of risk of bias.

The LATITUDES Network believes the library will benefit “anyone needing to assess the validity of their evidence base as part of an evidence synthesis”.

The library will benefit “anyone needing to assess the validity of their evidence base as part of an evidence synthesis”.

How to get started?

The LATITUDES Network provides a range of resources that can help researchers get to grips with validity tools — including guidance on which tool to use and training resources — or enable them to register a tool for inclusion.

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