Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39237894›Full record

ArticleBMC neurology2024

Evaluating guideline and registration policies among neurology journals: a cross-sectional analysis.

Andrew V Tran, John K Stadler, Zachary Ernst, Caleb A Smith, Danya Nees, Griffin K Hughes, Matt Vassar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC neurology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

7 authors.

Andrew V TranOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA. andrewtranresearch@gmail.com.
John K StadlerOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
Zachary ErnstOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
Caleb A SmithOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
Danya NeesOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
Griffin K HughesOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.
Matt VassarOffice of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeurological disorders have had a substantial rise the last three decades, imposing substantial burdens on both patients and healthcare costs. Consequently, the demand for high-quality research has become crucial for exploring effective treatment options. However, current neurology research has some limitations in terms of transparency, reproducibility, and reporting bias. The adoption of reporting guidelines (RGs) and trial registration policies has been proven to address these issues and improve research quality in other medical disciplines. It is unclear the extent to which these policies are being endorsed by neurology journals. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the publishing policies of top neurology journals regarding RGs and trial registration.

methodsFor this cross-sectional study, neurology journals were identified using the 2021 Scopus CiteScore Tool. The top 100 journals were listed and screened for eligibility for our study. In a masked, duplicate fashion, investigators extracted data on journal characteristics, policies on RGs, and policies on trial registration using information from each journal's Instruction for Authors webpage. Additionally, investigators contacted journal editors to ensure information was current and accurate. No human participants were involved in this study. Our data collection and analyses were performed from December 14, 2022, to January 9, 2023.

resultsOf the 356 neurology journals identified, the top 100 were included into our sample. The five-year impact of these journals ranged from 50.844 to 2.226 (mean [SD], 7.82 [7.01]). Twenty-five (25.0%) journals did not require or recommend a single RG within their Instructions for Authors webpage, and a third (33.0%) did not require or recommend clinical trial registration. The most frequently mentioned RGs were CONSORT (64.6%), PRISMA (52.5%), and ARRIVE (53.1%). The least mentioned RG was QUOROM (1.0%), followed by MOOSE (9.0%), and SQUIRE (17.9%).

conclusionsWhile many top neurology journals endorse the use of RGs and trial registries, there are still areas where their adoption can be improved. Addressing these shortcomings leads to further advancements in the field of neurology, resulting in higher-quality research and better outcomes for patients.

Indexed as

Editorial PoliciesNeurologyPeriodicals as TopicClinical Trials as TopicCross-Sectional StudiesPractice Guidelines as TopicAdherenceClinical Trial RegistrationInstructions for authorsReporting guidelinesStandardization

Identifiers

PMID39237894
PMCPMC11376083

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.