Application of Hierarchical/Multilevel Models and Quality of Reporting (2010–2020): A Systematic Review

Table 1

Characteristics of reviewed articles.

Area of application	n = 65
Climate science	1 (1.5%)
Economics	6 (9.2%)
Education/psychology	10 (15.4%)
Health/epidemiology	30 (46.2%)
Human development	2 (3.1%)
Planning	2 (3.1%)
Social life	11 (16.9%)
Sports	3 (4.6%)
Number of levels
Two	51 (78.5%)
Three	13 (20.0%)
Four	1 (1.5%)
Number of response variables
One	58 (89.2%)
Two	4 (6.2%)
Three	1 (1.5%)
Four	2 (3.1%)
Lower-level units
Individuals/human	45 (69.2%)
Location	5 (7.7%)
Time period	3 (4.6%)
Firms	2 (3.1%)
Publications/manuscripts	3 (4.6%)
Households	3 (4.6%)
Properties	2 (3.1%)
Measurements	1 (1.5%)
Angles	1 (1.5%)
Study design
Cross-sectional	54 (83.1%)
Experimental	1 (1.5%)
Longitudinal	6 (9.2%)
Repeated measures	4 (6.2%)
Measurement of ICC
Yes	36 (55.4%)
No	29 (44.6%)