Development of GROVE: A Guideline for RepOrting Vignette Experiments conducted in a healthcare context

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Experimental studies using vignettes investigate the impact of healthcare professional or patient/client characteristics, communication, and/or other behaviors on outcomes. To ensure methodological rigor and quality, guidance is needed for systematic reporting of such studies. We describe the development of the Guideline for RepOrting of Vignette Experiments (GROVE). METHODS: A steering group comprising experts in vignette research oversaw guideline development using an iterative and expert-driven approach. The development process included reviewing relevant literature, developing draft reporting criteria, soliciting feedback from a working group of international experts, applying the draft criteria to completed or planned vignette studies, and iteratively revising criteria until final group consensus was reached. GROVE was registered with the EQUATOR network repository of reporting guidelines. RESULTS: The final guideline encompasses the following criteria: 1. Rationale for a vignette design; 2. Vignette content; 3. Outcomes; 4. Vignette validity & realism; 5. Participants; and 6. Accessibility. Criterion 2 is further divided into five sub-criteria: 2.1. Healthcare scenario; 2.2. Manipulation & standardization; 2.3. Mode of delivery; 2.4. Expert involvement; and 2.5. Pilot testing. CONCLUSION: GROVE offers authors guidance in reporting experimental vignette studies. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Transparent reporting of vignette studies will help readers evaluate the reliability and validity of study findings, replicate studies, and extract relevant information for reviews.