Data source selection and suitability

Research requirements → candidate sources → coverage and quality assessment → selected sources

Flow diagram

Data source selection and suitabilityData source selection and suitabilityF1.S1Research and data requirementsF1.S2Candidate sources and accessF1.S3Relevance and coverageF1.S4Reliability and completenessF1.S5Suitability decisionF1.S6Mitigation and source selectionF1.N1Source suitability matrixSourceCoverageCompletenessValidationevidenceLimitationDecisionSourceF1.N2Source assessment evidenceF1.N3Residual limitations

Steps

Research and data requirements

Define needed population coverage, exposures, outcomes, confounders and timing.

Candidate sources and access

Record source ownership, access permissions, availability and refresh schedule.

Relevance and coverage

Assess whether population, clinical detail and observation period support the question.

Reliability and completeness

Assess missingness, accuracy, provenance, capture processes and validation evidence.

Suitability decision

Document selected, conditional or unsuitable sources with reasons.

Mitigation and source selection

Resolve gaps and record the selected source versions and limitations.

Tables and supporting information

Source suitability matrix

Source suitability matrixSourceCoverageCompletenessValidationevidenceLimitationDecisionSource

Assess fitness for this study rather than assigning a universal quality score.

Source assessment evidence

Attach data dictionaries, validation studies and provenance.

Residual limitations

Record unresolved gaps and their expected impact.

Sources