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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Commentary

Transparent and accurate reporting increases reliability, utility, and impact of your research: reporting guidelines and the EQUATOR Network

Authors: Iveta Simera, David Moher, Allison Hirst, John Hoey, Kenneth F Schulz, Douglas G Altman

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Although current electronic methods of scientific publishing offer increased opportunities for publishing all research studies and describing them in sufficient detail, health research literature still suffers from many shortcomings. These shortcomings seriously undermine the value and utility of the literature and waste scarce resources invested in the research. In recent years there have been several positive steps aimed at improving this situation, such as a strengthening of journals' policies on research publication and the wide requirement to register clinical trials.

The EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network is an international initiative set up to advance high quality reporting of health research studies; it promotes good reporting practices including the wider implementation of reporting guidelines. EQUATOR provides free online resources http://www.equator-network.org supported by education and training activities and assists in the development of robust reporting guidelines. This paper outlines EQUATOR's goals and activities and offers suggestions for organizations and individuals involved in health research on how to strengthen research reporting.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/8/24/prepub

Title: Transparent and accurate reporting increases reliability, utility, and impact of your research: reporting guidelines and the EQUATOR Network
Authors: Iveta Simera
David Moher
Allison Hirst
John Hoey
Kenneth F Schulz
Douglas G Altman
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-8-24

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Transparent and accurate reporting increases reliability, utility, and impact of your research: reporting guidelines and the EQUATOR Network

Abstract

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