The development and validation of Spatial Methodology Appraisal of Research Tool (SMART): a concept mapping study

Sarah M Wood; Anna Wong Shee; Laura Alston; Kevin Mc Namara; Alex Donaldson; Neil T Coffee; Vincent L Versace

doi:10.1186/s12942-025-00401-1

The development and validation of Spatial Methodology Appraisal of Research Tool (SMART): a concept mapping study

Int J Health Geogr. 2025 May 31;24(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s12942-025-00401-1.

Authors

Sarah M Wood^{1

2}, Anna Wong Shee^{3

4

5}, Laura Alston^{3

6}, Kevin Mc Namara^{3

4}, Alex Donaldson⁷, Neil T Coffee^{3

4

8

9}, Vincent L Versace^{3

4

9}

Affiliations

¹ Deakin Rural Health, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280, Australia. woodsar@deakin.edu.au.
² Centre for Australian Research into Access, Deakin University, VIC, Australia. woodsar@deakin.edu.au.
³ Deakin Rural Health, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Australian Research into Access, Deakin University, VIC, Australia.
⁵ Grampians Health, Ballarat, VIC, Australia.
⁶ Research Unit, Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC, Australia.
⁷ Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
⁸ Australian Centre for Housing Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South, Australia.
⁹ Geohealth Laboratory, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Abstract

This study developed and validated the Spatial Methodology Appraisal of Research Tool (SMART) using group concept mapping with discipline experts. The 16-item tool comprises four domains: (1) methods preliminaries, (2) data quality, (3) spatial data problems, and (4) spatial analysis methods. Validity testing demonstrated excellent content validity and expert agreement. Future studies will assess its usability and reliability to ensure consistent results. Its application in spatial epidemiology and health geography will enable more rigorous and transparent evidence synthesis. This contribution represents a significant step forward in improving the standards of quality appraisal in spatial research.

Keywords: Concept mapping; Critical appraisal; Health geography; Methodological quality; Quality appraisal; Spatial epidemiology; Systematic review.

Publication types

Validation Study

MeSH terms

Concept Formation*
Geographic Mapping*
Humans
Reproducibility of Results
Research Design* / standards
Spatial Analysis*