Resources

This section of the website includes useful resources and tools. A trio of guidance for COS development now exists, in addition to the COMET Handbook. Click the links below for more information.

COS-STAD

Norway

The Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Development (COS-STAD) identifies minimum standards for the design of a COS study, and can be used to help users decide whether a COS is relevant and has been developed using a reasonable approach.

COS-STAP

Norway

The Core Outcome Set-STAndardised Protocol Items (COS-STAP) Statement consists of a checklist of items considered essential in a COS protocol.

COS-STAR

Norway

The Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Reporting (COS-STAR) provides guidance for the final reporting of COS development studies.

The COMET Handbook: version 1.0

Norway

This Handbook, developed by the COMET Initiative, brings together current thinking and methodological research regarding COS development, implementation, evaluation and updating. We recommend a four-step process to develop a COS.


We aim to update the contents of the Handbook in 2022. For an up-to-date list of research since the publication of V1.0 of the Handbook, please click here. If you know of any newly published methods research in COS development or uptake that are not on this list, please let us know.