Background: Transparent reporting of research evidence is a prerequisite for systematic reviews. Several studies analyzed whether established journals in general medicine and specialties such as pediatrics endorse recommendations aiming to improve reporting quality[1],[2]. Despite evidence showing benefits of these recommendations, the proportion of endorsing journals has been moderate to low and varied considerably. For instance, 55% of pediatric journals indexed in the Journal Citation Report referred to the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts (URM) of the ICMJE but only 23% recommended trial registration[2]. Objectives: We investigated whether the proportion of journals endorsing these recommendations is different in open-access (OA) journals in pediatrics. We hypothesized that these journals may be more flexible in adopting innovations in their publication practice. Methods: We identified 41 journals publishing original research articles in the subject category Pediatrics of the Directory of Open Access Journals (www.doaj.org). From the online author instructions we extracted information regarding endorsement of the URM and of five major reporting guidelines such as the CONSORT statement, disclosure of conflicts of interest and requirement of trial registration. Two investigators collected data independently. Results: The URM were mentioned by 27 (66%) of pediatric OA journals (Table 1). Conflict of interest policies were stated by 25 (61%). Thirteen (32%) required or recommended trial registration prior to publication of a trial report. Advice about reporting guidelines was less often provided. CONSORT was referred to most often (12 journals; 29%) followed by other reporting guidelines (MOOSE, PRISMA or STARD) (8 journals, 20%) and STROBE (3 journals, 7%). The EQUATOR network, a platform of several guideline initiatives, was acknowledged by 4 journals (10%). Conclusions: In pediatrics, the proportion of journals referring to certain recommendations such as URM or trial registration is larger in OA journals than in established journals. Further research should clarify what the motivations and barriers are in implementing such policies and if they differ between established journals and OA journals.
References
1. Hopewell S, Altman DG, Moher D, Schulz KF: Endorsement of the CONSORT Statement by high impact factor medical journals: a survey of journal editors and journal Instructions to Authors . Trials 2008, 9(1):20.
2. Meerpohl JJ, Wolff RF, Niemeyer CM, Antes G, von Elm E: Editorial policies of pediatric journals: survey of instructions for authors. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2010, 164(3):268 272.