title: The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and how to select an outcome measurement instrument.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers who aim to improve the selection of outcome measurement instruments both in research and in clinical practice by developing tools for selecting the most appropriate available instrument.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper these tools are described, i.e. the COSMIN taxonomy and definition of measurement properties; the COSMIN checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties; a search filter for finding studies on measurement properties; a protocol for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; a database of systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; and a guideline for selecting outcome measurement instruments for Core Outcome Sets in clinical trials. Currently, we are updating the COSMIN checklist, particularly the standards for content validity studies. Also new standards for studies using Item Response Theory methods will be developed. Additionally, in the future we want to develop standards for studies on the quality of non-patient reported outcome measures, such as clinician-reported outcomes and performance-based outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, we plea for more standardization in the use of outcome measurement instruments, for conducting high quality systematic reviews on measurement instruments in which the best available outcome measurement instrument is recommended, and for stopping the use of poor outcome measurement instruments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, VU University Medical Center Amasterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lidwine B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mokkink
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, VU University Medical Center Amasterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cecilia A C
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Prinsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, VU University Medical Center Amasterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lex M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bouter
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, VU University Medical Center Amasterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henrica C W de
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Vet
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, VU University Medical Center Amasterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Caroline B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Terwee
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D032921:Consensus; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design