PONE-D-24-14286Does voluntary practice improve the outcome of an OSCE in undergraduate medical studies? A Propensity Score Matching approachPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Tsikas,

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You have done good research but you. have to revise the manuscript in the line of comments of both reviewers. Thanks and, regards

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Rano Mal Piryani, MBBS, MCPS, DTCD, MD, Fellowship in Med Education

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

Dear Authors

You have done good research but you. have to revise the manuscript in the line of comments of both reviewers.

Thanks and, regards

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Partly

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: "The informed consent and study regulations governing the use of personal data for evaluation/research and quality assurance purposes (in particular sect. 14, para. 1-5 ‘MHH Immatrikulationsordnung’ and sect. 17, para. 3 NHG (Higher Education Act in Lower Saxony, Germany)) rendered a separate approval by an ethics committee unnecessary. The research presented here is in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration"- I do not understand this statement. Even if its exempt, you need to apply to institutional review board committee for approving the exempt status of research globally. If this is not the case in Germany-this is beyond my understanding.

Secondly, even though ANOVA is a test of Association that can be applied when the categorical variable is non-binary. In this manuscript, to my understanding, categorical variables are binary and not non-binary.

Thirdly, introduction can be shortened. Even though the description about the entire OSCE is beautiful, it becomes monotonous to read about OSCE. A greater focus on the overall study variables would shorten the descriptive part of the manuscript.

Fourthly, discussion may be tightened up a little bit.

Reviewer #2: Investigation is a good topic. However, researchers must update the following.

1. The study's justification must be strengthened, and the topic of inquiry must be strengthened by a review of the literature. This study lacks a theoretical or conceptual framework that would enable readers to comprehend the genesis and processing of this notion within the context of the research issue.

2. When it comes to methodology, the researcher needs to explain and provide support for the population, sample, sampling strategy, and sample size computation. Verify the instrument's validation as well, please.

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Dr. Saira Akhlaq

Reviewer #2: Yes: Fozia Fatima (Assistant Professor), Department of Health Professions Education, National University of Medical Sciences, Pakistan

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Does voluntary practice improve the outcome of an OSCE in undergraduate medical studies? A Propensity Score Matching approach

PONE-D-24-14286R1

Dear Dr. Tsikas,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Rano Mal Piryani, MBBS, MCPS, DTCD, MD, Fellowship in Med Education

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Thanks for addressing the comments of reviewers.

Reviewers' comments: