# Tools for assessing the methodological limitations of a QES—a short note

## TL;DR

This paper highlights the need for better tools to evaluate the quality of qualitative evidence syntheses used in decision-making.

## Contribution

The authors propose the development of a new collaborative, evidence-based tool grounded in qualitative research principles.

## Key findings

- Existing tools for assessing qualitative evidence syntheses lack comprehensive coverage and clarity.
- Current tools are not sufficiently grounded in qualitative research principles.
- A new collaboratively developed tool is needed to improve the trustworthiness of QES findings.

## Abstract

The increasing prevalence and application of qualitative evidence syntheses (QES) in decision-making processes underscore the need for robust tools to assess the methodological limitations of a completed QES. This commentary discusses the limitations of three existing tools and presents the authors’ efforts to address this gap. Through a simple comparative analysis, the three tools are examined in terms of their coverage of essential topic areas. The examination finds that existing assessment tools lack comprehensive coverage, clarity, and grounding in qualitative research principles. The authors advocate for the development of a new collaboratively developed evidence-based tool rooted in qualitative methodology and best practice methods. The conclusion emphasizes the necessity of a tool that can provide a comprehensive judgement on the methodological limitations of a QES, addressing the needs of end-users, and ultimately enhancing the trustworthiness of QES findings in decision-making processes.