We propose to develop a tool that would operationalise the assessment of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in systematic reviews. This will inform both applicability judgements and highlight EDI evidence gaps and uncertainties. Our starting points would be a) PROGRESS-PLUS (https://methods.cochrane.org/equity/projects/evidence-equity/progress-plus), which maps out EDI topics reviewers should consider; and b) the INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework (https://www.trialforge.org/trial-forge- centre/include/), which has operationalised consideration of ethnicity for trial design.
Our approach will follow the seven development phases used for the INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework: https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05276-8
The team includes the lead of the INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework (Shaun Treweek) and PROGRESS-Plus (Vivian Welch and Peter Tugwell) teams, meaning we are well placed to produce an operationalised EDI tool for Cochrane. Such a development will be a significant step forward in ensuring that evidence synthesis pays more attention to who is – and who isn’t – involved, and limits the applicability that omission represents.
If you are interested in using and/or testing the PRO EDI tool, you will find the tool, guidance (coming soon!) and a very simply feedback form on the Trial Forge website: https://www.trialforge.org/trial-diversity/pro-edi-improving-how-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-is-handled-in-evidence-synthesis/.
Contacts
- Hanne Bruhn; hanne.bruhn@abdn.ac.uk
- Shaun Treweek; streweek@mac.com