Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27748343›Full record

SynthesisChinese medical journal2016

The Content of Statistical Requirements for Authors in Biomedical Research Journals.

Tian-Yi Liu, Si-Yu Cai, Xiao-Lu Nie, Ya-Qi Lyu, Xiao-Xia Peng, Guo-Shuang Feng

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Chinese medical journal, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tian-Yi LiuDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
Si-Yu CaiDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
Xiao-Lu NieCenter of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100045, China.
Ya-Qi LyuDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
Xiao-Xia PengDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069; Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100045, China.
Guo-Shuang FengCenter of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100045, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRobust statistical designing, sound statistical analysis, and standardized presentation are important to enhance the quality and transparency of biomedical research. This systematic review was conducted to summarize the statistical reporting requirements introduced by biomedical research journals with an impact factor of 10 or above so that researchers are able to give statistical issues' serious considerations not only at the stage of data analysis but also at the stage of methodological design.

methodsDetailed statistical instructions for authors were downloaded from the homepage of each of the included journals or obtained from the editors directly via email. Then, we described the types and numbers of statistical guidelines introduced by different press groups. Items of statistical reporting guideline as well as particular requirements were summarized in frequency, which were grouped into design, method of analysis, and presentation, respectively. Finally, updated statistical guidelines and particular requirements for improvement were summed up.

resultsTotally, 21 of 23 press groups introduced at least one statistical guideline. More than half of press groups can update their statistical instruction for authors gradually relative to issues of new statistical reporting guidelines. In addition, 16 press groups, covering 44 journals, address particular statistical requirements. The most of the particular requirements focused on the performance of statistical analysis and transparency in statistical reporting, including "address issues relevant to research design, including participant flow diagram, eligibility criteria, and sample size estimation," and "statistical methods and the reasons."

conclusionsStatistical requirements for authors are becoming increasingly perfected. Statistical requirements for authors remind researchers that they should make sufficient consideration not only in regards to statistical methods during the research design, but also standardized statistical reporting, which would be beneficial in providing stronger evidence and making a greater critical appraisal of evidence more accessible.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchBibliometricsGuideline AdherencePeriodicals as Topic

Identifiers

PMID27748343
PMCPMC5072263

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-SA
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.