Here is the science behind it
There are a lot of "scientific rules" that apply to the development of a core outcome set. This is called methodology.
Our research protocol with detailed information on how this COS is developed can be found here.
From the early beginnings, where perhaps a small group of experts made all decisions behind closed doors, to the current COS-projects involving a large number of stakeholders, a lot has happened. Researching the process of outcome development itself was especially important. This resulted in scientific guidelines that help researchers to develop protocols for their work.
A core outcome set for core outcome sets, if you will!
The COSAR-group incorporated all quality standards in their work, to ensure that this project will succeed.
The literature review that formed the bases of the long-list of outcomes, is published in Human Reproduction Open:
https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoab030
A lot of useful literature for researchers and also women is published on the COMET website:
and the CROWN website:
http://www.crown-initiative.org/
