Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Beyond the statistic: Exploring the process of early marriage decision -making using  
qualitative findings from Ethiopia and India  
 
Version: 1 Date: 02 May 2018  
 
Reviewer: Suzanne Petroni  
 
Reviewer's report:  
This is a useful contribution to the evidence base regarding the drivers and decision -making 
processes around child marriage. My comments are mostly intended to ensure that the manuscript 
reflects the most recent data regarding the prevalence of child marr iage, both globally and in the 
specific countries and districts of study, as well as the latest evidence regarding both the drivers of 
and solutions to ending the practice.   
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional 
statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
Not relevant to this manuscript  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
Acceptable  
Decla ration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or l ose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that holds 
or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
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If you r reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
I declare that I have no competing interests  
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