Table 1 Questions for researchers about intervention development adapted from the MRC Complex Intervention guidance [1]

1. Are you clear about what you are trying to do, what outcome you are aiming for, and how you will bring about change?

2. Does your intervention have a coherent theoretical basis?

3. Have you used this theory systematically to develop the intervention?

4. Can you describe the intervention fully according to TIDieR guidelines [4], so that it can be implemented properly for the purposes of your evaluation and replicated by others?

5. Does the existing evidence [or lack of evidence]—ideally collated in a systematic review—support the development of your intervention so that it is likely to be feasible, effective and cost effective?

6. Has future implementation in multi-centre research settings and future translation into the real world been considered?

7. Has the potential for bias been considered e.g. optimistic bias, group think, sampling, location and context bias?