Key guidelines for reporting health research studies

Presented by:

Doug Altman John Hoey Ana Marusic

Kenneth Schulz Iveta Simera

The EQUATOR Network workshop10 October 2012, Freiburg, Germany

Workshop ProgrammeTime Title Facilitator Session description

12.45 Registration  1.00 Welcome & programme outline KS  1.05 Enhancing the quality and transparency of health research 

through the use of reporting guidelines DGA Introductory talk followed by 

questions

1.25 Structure of a research article: where can reporting guidelines help?Responsibilities of researchers / authors

IS Talk followed by questions

1.50 Key reporting guidelines in detail and practical exercises:

- CONSORT Statement KS Brief introduction to the 

guideline followed by a practical exercise 

2.20 Break

2.40 Key reporting guidelines in detail and practical exercises:

- PRISMA Statement    DGA 

- STROBE Statement    DGA

DGA Brief introduction to each guideline followed by a practical exercise 

3.40 The EQUATOR online Library for Health Research Reporting: overview of resources

IS  Brief introduction of the EQUATOR website 

3.50 Discussion of common deficiencies related to poor reporting encountered during the editorial processResponsibilities of editors and reviewersWhat editors expect from authors / manuscripts

AM / JH General discussion engaging all workshop participants

4.20 Summary & key learning points  KS  General discussion4.30 Workshop ends    

Learning Objectives

Understand the importance of transparency and accuracy in reporting health research and be familiar with common reporting deficiencies

Learn the key concepts behind reporting guidelines

Appreciate selected reporting guidelines: CONSORT (reporting RCTs)

PRISMA (reporting SR and meta-analyses)

STROBE (reporting observational epi studies)

Learning Objectives(continued)

Understand and efficiently use the EQUATOR Network internet-based resource centre and training programme

Appreciate implementation issues of reporting guidelines in the editorial process

5

How I can improve reporting of my research study

Find out about reporting requirements early, when planning your research study

When writing up your research, check the EQUATOR website for any new relevant guidelines to help improve the quality of your manuscript

Adhere to the relevant reporting guideline(s)

See ‘Steps to consider’ in Simera et al. BMC Medicine 2010,8:24

6

How I can improve reporting of my research study

When not reporting on certain items explain why

Remember that reporting guidelines provide a minimum set of items– Other details specific to your particular study

(consider in particular items that might have introduced bias into your research)

It is important to provide enough information to allow your study to be potentially reproducible by others.

– See ‘Steps to consider’ in Simera et al. BMC Medicine 2010,8:24