[ 16] For studies using specific stated case based criteria to make a determination of abuse (rating 3), we distinguished studies that included only definite abuse cases (3a) from those that also included likely or probable abuse cases (3b).
Emerging evidence suggests that many factors may distinguish study product use in RCTs from open-label effective PrEP adherence.
While reviewing patients' records, non-personal identifiers such as patients' medical registration number and pre-ART number were used to distinguish study subjects during data collection.
In our meta-analysis we did not assess study quality because of the well-known lack of established quality scores [ 20, 21], and because it is often impossible to distinguish study quality from reporting quality.
The data were structured to distinguish studies with aggregate data (controlled and non-controlled trials) from studies with individual data.
We did not have a good method for distinguishing study-related and nonstudy-related food consumption.
It is important to distinguish studies of serum vitamin D and cancer survival from studies of serum vitamin D and cancer incidence and/or cancer mortality in populations.
In terms of cost-effectiveness studies, and given the preference for QALYs for decision-making, it is important to distinguish studies that use QALYs as the measure of benefit compared with other measures of quality of life.
The debate largely revolves around how to constitute what it actually is, reflecting a grey area in which differing descriptions of what distinguishes studies that are CED, and those that are not, emerge to create some tension amongst stakeholders.
The time frame for assessment of impacts may have limited our capacity to authoritatively distinguish studies with and without policy and practice impacts; longer lead times may be required for some cases.
In terms of limitations, the process and timing for assessment of impacts may have limited our capacity to definitively distinguish studies with and without policy and practice impacts, and thus the role and interactions of different influences at different times.
