INTRODUCTION: Reporting guidelines aim to ensure adequate and complete reporting of clinical studies and are an indispensable tool to translate scientific results into clinical practice. The extent to which reporting guidelines are incorporated into the author instructions of journals publishing in the field of urology remained unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the author instructions of uro-nephrological journals indexed in 'Journal Citation Reports 2009'. Two authors independently assessed the author guidelines. We evaluated additional information including whether a journal was published by or in association with a medical association. Discrepancies were resolved by re-checking the respective author instructions and by discussion with a third author. RESULTS: The recommendations of the International Committee of Journal Editors were endorsed by 32 journals (58.2%) but were mentioned in 12 (37.5%) only to give general advice about manuscript preparation. Fourteen journals (25.5%) mentioned at least one reporting guideline, with CONSORT the most frequently cited. Journals with high impact factors were more likely to endorse CONSORT (p < 0.009). Other reporting guidelines were mentioned by <6% of the journals. CONCLUSION: All key stakeholders involved in the publication process should more frequently promote the awareness and use of reporting guidelines.
INTRODUCTION: Reporting guidelines aim to ensure adequate and complete reporting of clinical studies and are an indispensable tool to translate scientific results into clinical practice. The extent to which reporting guidelines are incorporated into the author instructions of journals publishing in the field of urology remained unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the author instructions of uro-nephrological journals indexed in 'Journal Citation Reports 2009'. Two authors independently assessed the author guidelines. We evaluated additional information including whether a journal was published by or in association with a medical association. Discrepancies were resolved by re-checking the respective author instructions and by discussion with a third author. RESULTS: The recommendations of the International Committee of Journal Editors were endorsed by 32 journals (58.2%) but were mentioned in 12 (37.5%) only to give general advice about manuscript preparation. Fourteen journals (25.5%) mentioned at least one reporting guideline, with CONSORT the most frequently cited. Journals with high impact factors were more likely to endorse CONSORT (p < 0.009). Other reporting guidelines were mentioned by <6% of the journals. CONCLUSION: All key stakeholders involved in the publication process should more frequently promote the awareness and use of reporting guidelines.
Authors: Ingrid Toews; Nadine Binder; Robert F Wolff; Guenes Toprak; Erik von Elm; Joerg J Meerpohl Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-04-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Melissa K Sharp; Ana Utrobičić; Guadalupe Gómez; Erik Cobo; Elizabeth Wager; Darko Hren Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-10-22 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Daniël A Korevaar; Jérémie F Cohen; Johannes B Reitsma; David E Bruns; Constantine A Gatsonis; Paul P Glasziou; Les Irwig; David Moher; Henrica C W de Vet; Douglas G Altman; Lotty Hooft; Patrick M M Bossuyt Journal: Res Integr Peer Rev Date: 2016-06-07