Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32375659›Full record

ArticleBMC medical research methodology2020

Framing the numerical findings of Cochrane plain language summaries: two randomized controlled trials.

Ivan Buljan, Ružica Tokalić, Marija Roguljić, Irena Zakarija-Grković, Davorka Vrdoljak, Petra Milić, Livia Puljak, Ana Marušić

3 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical research methodology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.7field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT03442387 nacompletednot on this map

Framing of Numerical Information in Cochrane Summaries: a Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of Split, School of MedicineRan2018 to 2018Enrolled91ConditionsHealth LiteracyArmsFrame of numerical information
NCT03554252 nacompletednot on this map

Comparison of Different Frames of Numerical Information in Cochrane Plain Language: Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of Split, School of MedicineRan2018 to 2018Enrolled225ConditionsHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeArmsFrequencies, Percentages
NCT07140107 naenrolling by invitationnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Patients' Perceptions and Comprehension of Original Versus AI-Generated Plain Language Summaries of Cochrane Oncology Systematic Reviews

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of Split, School of MedicineRan2025 to 2026Enrolled130ConditionsNon-Metastatic Breast CancerArmsAI-generated PLS, Original PLS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 19 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Ivan BuljanDepartment of Research in Biomedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia. ibuljan@mefst.hr.
Ružica TokalićDepartment of Research in Biomedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
Marija RoguljićDepartment of Oral Diseases and Periodontology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
Irena Zakarija-GrkovićDepartment of Research in Biomedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
Davorka VrdoljakDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
Petra MilićUniversity of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
Livia PuljakCenter for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia.
Ana MarušićDepartment of Research in Biomedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia.
University of Split · HRCatholic University of Croatia · HR

Funding

Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost IP-2014-09-7672
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCochrane systematic review Plain language Summaries (CSR PLSs should serve as a tool for the evidence translation to non-medical population. However, the evidence of optimal type of numerical presentation in CSR PLSs is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate readers' comprehension and preferences for different presentation of findings, including framing and numerical data, in Cochrane systematic review Plain Language Summaries (CSR PLSs).

methodsWe conducted a parallel randomized trial and a crossover randomized trial at the School of Medicine and family practice offices in Split, Croatia. The participants were students and consumers. We assessed possible differences in comprehension, measured by four questions on PLS content, of CSR PLSs depending on the positive or negative framing of results (n = 91) (Trial 1) or using percentages or frequencies for the presentation of results (n = 245) (Trial 2). The outcome measures were comprehension of PLS content, perceived effectiveness of the treatment and readiness to use the treatment (all on 1-10 scales).

resultsIn Trial 1 we found no difference in readers' perception of the effectiveness of the described treatment, desire that the treatment be offered by their family doctor, readiness to use the treatment, or comprehension when CSR PLS results were presented positively or negatively. In Trial 2 we found no difference in CSR PLS comprehension when results were presented as natural frequencies or percentages (BF

conclusionsNumerical presentation and framing direction of results appear to have no significant impact on understanding of messages in CSR PLSs.

trial registrationThe trials were registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Protocol registration numbers: Trial 1: NCT03442387; Trial 2: NCT03554252.

Indexed as

LanguageTranslationsBayes TheoremHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicStudentsEvidence summariesHealth numeracyInformation translationPlain language summaries

Identifiers

PMID32375659
PMCPMC7201737
OpenAlexW3021151398

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.