Bias assessment: mQ or RoB?

Abstract

In a recent paper in the journal, Stone et al. propose that JBI adopt the term risk of bias (RoB) wherever critical appraisal, study validity, method- ological quality (mQ), or methodological limitations are used. The authors see this as an important step towards reducing "confusion for reviewers by using similar terms to collaborators and to unify the no- menclature in this field."475) The authors proceed to justify this decision, and while it may be a good idea to drop the terms critical appraisal, study va lidity, and methodological limitations, the authors seem too exigent in their recommendation to consider mQ and RoB as one and the same.