DIRECT Checklist (Discrete Choice Experiment Reporting Checklist)
The DIRECT Checklist is a tool that helps researchers report all important details when conducting discrete choice experiments (DCEs) in health. It ensures that studies are transparent and can be properly reviewed and compared, especially when understanding patient preferences or informing health policy.
At a glance
Use when
Reporting results of discrete choice experiments in health research, especially in health economics and patient preference studies
Avoid when
Conducting non-DCE types of preference elicitation or when reporting non-health-related DCEs without adaptation
Inputs
Discrete choice experiment study design, methodology, and results in a health context
Outputs
Comprehensive, standardized reporting of DCE studies that meets minimum transparency and quality standards
How it works
The DIRECT Checklist was developed through a scoping review and an international Delphi consensus study with 45 DCE experts, including best-worst scaling for item prioritization. It provides minimum reporting standards for discrete choice experiments in health, aiming to improve transparency, validity assessment, and study comparability. The checklist includes structured guidance for authors, reviewers, and readers to ensure comprehensive reporting of DCE methodology and results.
- HTA domains
- Patient and Social Aspects
- Categories
- Reporting Standards
- Assumptions
- Researchers will use the checklist voluntarily and journals will encourage or require its use to improve reporting quality
- Strengths
- Developed through rigorous consensus methods with international DCE experts,Includes best-worst scaling for item prioritization,Improves transparency, reproducibility, and comparability of DCE studies,Supports authors, reviewers, and readers in assessing study quality
- Limitations
- Relies on voluntary adoption by authors and journals,Does not enforce compliance, only guides reporting,May not cover every context-specific nuance of DCE applications
- Also known as
- DIRECT, Discrete Choice Experiment Reporting Checklist
Questions this answers
- › What key information should be reported in a discrete choice experiment in health?
- › How can transparency and validity assessment of DCEs be improved?
- › What minimum standards ensure reproducibility and comparability of health DCEs?
- › How can authors improve the quality of reporting in patient preference studies?
- › What guidance supports peer reviewers in evaluating DCE methodology?
- › How can DCE findings be better translated into health policy and practice?
References & sources
Similar by meaning
- Discrete Choice Experiments in Health Economics: Past, Present and Future
- ISPOR Statistical Methods for the Analysis of Discrete-Choice Experiments
- ISPOR Conjoint Analysis Experimental Design Good Research Practices
- The Use of a Discrete Choice Experiment Including Both Duration and Dead for the Development of an EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Australia
- SIMULATE Checklist
Beta record. Generated from the primary source via AI extraction and independent audit, pending final human review.