Abstract
Background: Reporting guidelines and trial registration policies have been used to reduce bias and improve the quality of published research. It is unclear how well immunology and allergy journals adhere to the use of these reporting tools. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the policies of immunology and allergy journals regarding reporting guideline appropriation and clinical trial registration.
Methods: A web-engine search was performed to identify the top 100 immunology and allergy journals to be included in the study per the 2021 Scopus CiteScore tool. Search returns were screened for inclusion criteria and data was extracted in a masked, duplicate manner. Statements regarding clinical trial registration and the use of reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) were extracted from each journal's “Instructions for Authors” section on their respective websites. Statements were recorded as “Not Mentioned”, “Recommended”, “Does Not Require”, or “Required.” Each journal was contacted by email to confirm what article types are accepted.
Results: Of the 100 journals analyzed, 54 followed recommendations by the EQUATOR Network. Ninety-five journals failed to mention QUOROM. Conversely, CONSORT was recommended by 58 journals and required by 11. PRISMA was only required by six journals and recommended by 32. Only 41 journals specifically required clinical trial registration and 24 failed to mention registration at all.
Conclusion: Our results indicated there are inconsistencies in the adoption of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration policies. Nearly half of the top 100 immunology and allergy journals did not mention an EQUATOR statement and less than half required clinical trial registration. We recommend that the editors of immunology and allergy journals encourage the use of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration policies to improve transparency and mitigate the potential for biases.
Methods: A web-engine search was performed to identify the top 100 immunology and allergy journals to be included in the study per the 2021 Scopus CiteScore tool. Search returns were screened for inclusion criteria and data was extracted in a masked, duplicate manner. Statements regarding clinical trial registration and the use of reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) were extracted from each journal's “Instructions for Authors” section on their respective websites. Statements were recorded as “Not Mentioned”, “Recommended”, “Does Not Require”, or “Required.” Each journal was contacted by email to confirm what article types are accepted.
Results: Of the 100 journals analyzed, 54 followed recommendations by the EQUATOR Network. Ninety-five journals failed to mention QUOROM. Conversely, CONSORT was recommended by 58 journals and required by 11. PRISMA was only required by six journals and recommended by 32. Only 41 journals specifically required clinical trial registration and 24 failed to mention registration at all.
Conclusion: Our results indicated there are inconsistencies in the adoption of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration policies. Nearly half of the top 100 immunology and allergy journals did not mention an EQUATOR statement and less than half required clinical trial registration. We recommend that the editors of immunology and allergy journals encourage the use of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration policies to improve transparency and mitigate the potential for biases.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 65 |
| State | Published - 17 Feb 2023 |
| Event | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2023 - Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W. 17th street, Tulsa, United States Duration: 13 Feb 2023 → 17 Feb 2023 https://medicine.okstate.edu/events/index.html?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D160681489 |
Conference
| Conference | Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Research Week 2023 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Tulsa |
| Period | 13/02/23 → 17/02/23 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- reporting guidelines
- clinical trial registration
- immunology