Table 3 Illustrative comments on user-friendliness, format and other features of NorthStar.
User-friendliness | Very impressive in its scope and quality but it's not always clear who the audience for the tool is It is indeed a very beautiful tool I found it user friendly, and particularly liked the sample-size calculation module for cluster randomization Consider developing a more detailed tutorial (in parts) to walk individuals through how to use NorthStar to its fullest capability My computer crashed twice when trying to access pdf files |
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Format | [NorthStar] provides a clear overview, helps me think in a constructive and orderly fashion about what I need to do, and leaves me inspired. |
Content | I can see the purpose in encouraging people as often as possible to conduct randomised trials of QI initiatives, but in fact most evaluation will not be done in this way, and I'm not sure that those seeking to use NorthStar for the less rigorous designs will be well served I think you risk misleading people with that stated aim [targeted at quality improvement researchers and healthcare professionals and managers] – it looks great for researchers, but not for anyone else Service quality improvers ... are unlikely towant to 'test' interventions in the formalsense, but they might want help with choosing interventions and testing their effect in their own particular contexts |