Checklists: Definition and Characteristics of the Technique

Checklists

    According to Pdcahome (2013), checklists, which may also be referred to as Control Lists or Verification Lists, serve as structured templates designed to streamline the execution of repetitive tasks, validate specific criteria, or methodically gather data. Their primary objective is to enhance efficiency and accuracy by facilitating organized assessments of activities or products. By systematically guiding prospects or inspectors through each step, checklists help ensure that crucial elements are not inadvertently overlooked, thereby promoting consistency in performance or evaluation processes. 

    Based on Concha-Torre et al. (2020), a checklist is not only instrumental in guaranteeing the completion of all essential steps within a procedure but also plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency by upholding a predefined sequence of tasks. Moreover, it aids in the organized gathering of data, ensuring its systematic arrangement for subsequent analysis. This systematic approach greatly reduces the probability of errors stemming from distractions or undue reliance on established procedures. Notwithstanding, it is imperative to recognize that while a checklist can significantly minimize such errors, it is not a panacea. Certain types of errors, particularly those originating from a lack of experience, inadequate skills, or insufficient supervision, may persist despite the use of checklists. Therefore, while valuable, checklists should be seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance procedural adherence and mitigate risks rather than a standalone solution. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHECKLISTS

1. Sequential Execution: Ensures activities are carried out in a specific order, one after another, to maintain an orderly and logical flow of the process.

 2. Basic Guideline: Serves as a set of basic instructions for carrying out processes, providing a clear and defined structure for their execution.

3. Focus on Critical Activities: Concentrates on the most important and critical activities or tasks within the process, ensuring they are prioritized and executed efficiently.

4. Systematic Approach: Carried out systematically, following a set of predefined rules and established procedures rather than relying solely on memory or improvisation.

5. Result Documentation: Allows for the documentation and recording of the outcomes achieved during the execution of activities, facilitating subsequent review and evaluation of the process.

6. Comprehensiveness: A well-designed checklist covers all relevant aspects of the research process or study protocol. It includes items related to study design, data collection, data analysis, reporting, and any other pertinent steps.

7. Clarity and simplicity: Checklists should be easy to understand and use. They typically employ clear and concise language to describe each item or task, making it easy for researchers to follow and apply them in their work.

8. Flexibility: While checklists provide a structured framework, they should also allow for some degree of flexibility to accommodate variations in research protocols or methodologies. Researchers may need to adapt checklists to suit the specific requirements of their study.

9. Continuous improvement: Checklists are dynamic tools that can be refined and updated over time-based on feedback and experience. Researchers may revise checklists to incorporate lessons learned from previous studies, address emerging challenges, or incorporate new best practices and guidelines.

10. Realistic: A well-designed checklist should be done based on knowing how people actually perform the task, not how the task is prescribed to be performed. It is not the same as how the researchers expect their population to do it as how they will actually do it.

11. Know the samples: The number of units that will be tested is quantifiable data, so they are both homogeneous and heterogeneous. They are homogeneous in that they have received similar or the same training as they belong to the same level or group of people. They are heterogeneous in that every individual has a different history and background.

References:

Pdcahome. (2013, August 19). Checklists: What is a checklist and how to use it? – PDCA Home (en). https://pdcahome.com/english/228/checklists-what-is-a-checklist-and-how-to-use-it/ 

Concha-Torre, A., Alonso, Y. D., Blanco, S. Á., Allende, A. V., Mayordomo-Colunga, J., & Barrio, B. F. (2020). The checklists: A help or a hassle? Anales De Pediatría (English Edition), 93(2), 135.e1-135.e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anpede.2020.05.003 

Checklist ON RESEARCH. (2018, April 17). [Slide show]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/Manjubeth/checklist-on-research

What makes a good checklist. (2010, October 1). PSNet. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/what-makes-good-checklist 

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