Methodology section of the Clinical Study Report (CSR) provides a detailed description of the methods and procedures used to conduct the study, including the study design, participant selection criteria, interventions or treatments, data collection and analysis methods, and statistical considerations.
Quality control of the methodology section of a CSR is essential to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and transparency of the study methods. Here are some key points to consider during the quality control process:
- Consistency: Verify that the methodology section is consistent with the study protocol, Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) and any applicable regulatory guidelines. Cross-reference the study protocol with the CSR to ensure that all relevant details are accurately represented.
- Clarity and completeness: Review the methodology section for clarity and completeness. Ensure that all essential components of the study design, including objectives, study population, inclusion and exclusion criteria, interventions, outcome measures, and statistical methods, are clearly described.
- Accuracy of information: Confirm the accuracy of the information presented in the methodology section. Check that the details provided match the actual conduct of the study. Review any relevant source documents, such as case report forms, to validate the accuracy of data collection procedures.
- Adherence to ethical standards: Verify that the methodology section adequately addresses ethical considerations. This includes ensuring that appropriate informed consent procedures were followed, the study was approved by an ethics committee or institutional review board, and any potential conflicts of interest or bias are appropriately disclosed.
- Clarity of procedures: Assess the clarity of the description of procedures, such as study visits, data collection, and data analysis. Ensure that the methodology section provides sufficient details to allow for study replication or independent verification.
- Consistency with regulatory requirements: Verify that the methodology section adheres to relevant regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines or local regulatory guidelines. Confirm that any specific requirements for the study type or therapeutic area have been addressed.
- Internal consistency: Check for internal consistency within the methodology section. Ensure that there are no contradictory statements or gaps in the description of the study methods.
- Cross-referencing and referencing: Cross-reference the methodology section with other sections of the CSR, such as the results or adverse events sections, to confirm consistency and accuracy. Verify that all references cited in the methodology section are complete and appropriately cited.
- Peer review: Consider involving an independent reviewer or subject matter expert to perform a peer review of the methodology section. This additional layer of review can help identify any potential issues or areas for improvement.
By following these quality control measures, you can help ensure that the methodology section of a clinical study report is accurate, robust, and compliant with relevant guidelines and regulations.
CSR Match Protocol SAP check, under DocQC, helps the medical writers to accelerate their QC process for the methodology section. This complex quality control check helps validate the data present in the methodology section of CSR with relevant data from CSR Protocols, CSR Templates and SAP. This QC check generates the results within a few minutes, indicating whether the data is accurately present, and also helps reviewers visualize the discrepancies, and make better decisions.
By Hargun Kaur Sethi
Software Development and Business Growth, GENINVO
