Survey research in neuropsychology: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review paper summarizes the research in neuropsychology using survey methodology, tallies key design features of published survey studies, and evaluates the degree to which the survey methods are disclosed in these publications.Method: We conducted a systematic review of neuropsychological studies that used survey methodology using PRISMA guidelines. We rated 89 surveys on the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) required disclosure items and quality indicators.Results: Following the AAPOR guidelines for survey disclosure and quality, we found only fair to good compliance with disclosure requirements, with the average article reporting 73% of the required elements of method. Rates of disclosure of required items went up after the year 2000 but then dropped back somewhat after 2010. We also found a decrease in survey response rates over time.Conclusions: Most of the surveys published concern practice patterns and trends in the field. Response rates have gone down, as is common in other surveys. There is room for improvement in disclosure practices in survey articles in neuropsychology. We provide a rubric for evaluating disclosure of methods, to guide researchers who want to use surveys in their neuropsychological research, as well as guide consumers of survey research.