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Table 5 Distribution of methodological quality characteristics across reviewed studies (N = 39)

From: Perceived barriers to children’s active commuting to school: a systematic review of empirical, methodological and theoretical evidence

Methodological Criterion

Description

Score

n of studies

Percentage (%)

Study design

Experimental study (e.g., Randomized control trial)

4

1

2.6

Case control study

3

1

2.6

Longitudinal study

2

1

2.6

Cross-sectional study

1

36

92.3

Sample size

Large (>300)

3

29

74.4

Medium (>100 and <300)

2

8

20.5

Small (<100)

1

2

2.6

Definition of ACS

Defined

1

38

97.4

Not defined

0

1

2.6

Data analysis

More advanced statistics (e.g., mixed models)

4

7

17.9

Regression/analysis of covariance

3

26

66.7

Bivariate statistics (e.g., ANOVA, Pearson r, t test)

2

3

7.7

Descriptive only (e.g., frequency)

1

3

7.7

Control variable(s)

Included

1

22

56.4

Not included

0

17

43.6

Multicollinearity testing

Tested

1

27

69.2

Not tested/not mentioned

0

12

30.8

Data reliability testing

Reported results, based on other & own data (including reported elsewhere)

3

9

23.1

Reported results, based on own data (including reported elsewhere)

2

9

23.1

Reported results, based on other data

1

6

15.4

Not reported

0

15

38.5

Data validity testing

Reported metrics, based on other & own data

3

0

0.0

Reported metrics, based on own data

2

4

10.3

Reported, based on other data

1

6

15.4

Not reported

0

29

74.4

Participant recruitment

Parent and child pair

2

12

30.8

Parent, child or others (e.g., principals)

1

27

69.2

Participant characteristics

Reported (e.g., child age or grade)

1

37

94.9

Not reported

0

2

5.1

School characteristics

Reported (e.g., size or composition), multiple locations

2

26

66.7

Reported, single location

1

2

5.1

Not reported

0

11

28.2