MISIG Task Force:
Rasch Reporting Guidelines in Rehabilitation Research (RULER)
*** Concluded mission and projects, no longer meeting ***
The purpose of the RULER Task Force is to develop guidelines for good research practices in reporting the results of clinical assessment studies that use Rasch measurement as an analytic approach.
RULER STATEMENT
With the exponential growth of studies applying Rasch analysis to evaluate rehabilitation outcome assessments for use in the clinic and in research, there is a need to provide guidance for consistent and transparent reporting.
The Rasch Reporting Guidelines in Rehabilitation Research (RULER) statement provides a peer-reviewed, evidence-based, and consistent guidance for reporting studies that apply Rasch Measurement (RM) Theory in a rehabilitation context so that authors, reviewers, and editors have uniform expectations on how to write and evaluate research on rehabilitation outcome assessments. The RULER statement is a framework of 6 domains reflecting primary areas of considerations in studies that report the application of RM Theory in developing and refining Rehabilitation Assessments; a checklist of items considered central to ensuring maximum transparency and reproducibility RM analysis. The RULER statement is supported by the RULER explanation and elaboration documents (2 manuscripts in development), an iteration table, and other supplemental materials available below.
RULER TIMELINE
| April 2018 | Idea and need for consistency in reporting Rasch analyses first discussed |
| June 2018 – October 2018 | Small exploratory monthly zoom meetings |
| October 2018 | Planning meeting at the American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) conference in Dallas, TX |
| October 2018- December 2018 | Posting for calls to join the Rasch Reporting Task Force |
| January 2019 – November 2019 | Monthly zoom meetings with the Rasch Reporting Task Force group |
| November 2019 | Half day workshop presenting the first draft at the International Objective Measurement Conference (IOMC) for feedback from experts and public |
| November 2019 | Presentation of the first draft at ACRM for feedback from rehabilitation researchers and clinicians |
| November 2019 | First draft of checklist and framework made available to ACRM MISIG members |
| December 2019 – June 2020 | Revision of guidelines based on public comments and feedback + monthly zoom meetings with the Rasch Reporting Task Force group |
| July 2020 | Draft checklist + framework explanation + statement made available on ACRM MISIG website |
| August 2020 | Framework + explanatory manuscripts + checklist sent out for expert review |
| September 2020 | Final submission of explanatory manuscripts to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation journal |
| November 2020 | Accepted manuscripts + finalized checklists posted on ACRM MISIG website |
CO-CHAIRS
Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSc, PT
CO-CHAIR
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
University of Minnesota
RULER MULTIDISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE
Co-Chairs
|
Discipline |
| Trudy Mallinson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM | Occupational Therapy |
| Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT | Physical Therapy |
|
Members
|
|
| Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN | Nursing |
| Namrata Grampurohit, PhD, OTR/L | Occupational Therapy |
| Allen W. Heinemann, PhD, ABPP, FACRM | Rehabilitation Psychology |
| Mark V. Johnston, PhD, FACRM | Psychology |
| Shannon Juengst, PhD | Rehabiltation Counceling |
| Allan J. Kozlowski, PhD, BSc (PT) | Physical Therapy |
| John Melvin, MD, MMSc | Physiatry |
| Pallavi Sood, PhD, PT | Physical Therapy |
| Lauren Terhorst, PhD | Biostatistician |
| Jennifer Weaver, PhD (cand.), MA, OTR/L, CBIS | Occupational Therapy |
2020 – 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Submitted RULER Guideline for Reporting of Rasch Analyses in Rehabilitation along with two elaboration manuscripts for peer review in Archives of PM&R
- Completed response to initial review and resubmitted manuscripts for second round
2021 – 2022 PLANS & PROJECTS
- Prepare training educational resources for RULER Guideline rollout, e.g., training video or webinar
- Follow-up with EQUATOR Network on next steps
