Article type
Abstract
"Background
Evidence-based research (EBR) is defined as “the use of prior research in a systematic and transparent way to inform a new study so that it is answering questions that matter in a valid, efficient, and accessible manner”. An EBR approach is needed to provide justification for a new study, optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, and place the new results in the context of earlier studies. Reporting guidelines should support the use of an EBR approach.
Objectives
We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent reporting guidelines include items concerning an EBR approach (or parts of it), their characteristics, and how these items are operationalized.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we included the most recent version of any reporting guideline that included a checklist published on the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network, the scholarly article in which the relevant guideline was published. We included guidelines that apply to the whole report. One author screened all the guidelines and extracted data, Another author verified a sample of the screening and extracted data. We extracted data on whether the checklist and the article(s) describing the guideline addressed the EBR approach to provide justification for a new study, to optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, to place the new results in the context of earlier studies, and whether they defined prior evidence.
Results
Among 531 checklists published on the EQUATOR, we analyzed 167 pertaining to the whole report. EBR approach was addressed in 9 (5.3%) checklists to provide justification for a new study, 3 (1.8%) to optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, and 1 (0.6%) to place the new results in the context of earlier studies. In the accompanying articles, these frequencies/percentages were 2 (1.2%), 0 (0%) and 1 (0.6%), respectively.
Conclusion
Very few of the analyzed checklists and their accompanying article(s), on the EQUATOR website included items that would foster the implementation of EBR principles. Revision of checklists and accompanying guidance should be considered to foster EBR.
Relevance and importance to patients
Direct relevance to reduce research waste.
"
Evidence-based research (EBR) is defined as “the use of prior research in a systematic and transparent way to inform a new study so that it is answering questions that matter in a valid, efficient, and accessible manner”. An EBR approach is needed to provide justification for a new study, optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, and place the new results in the context of earlier studies. Reporting guidelines should support the use of an EBR approach.
Objectives
We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent reporting guidelines include items concerning an EBR approach (or parts of it), their characteristics, and how these items are operationalized.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we included the most recent version of any reporting guideline that included a checklist published on the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network, the scholarly article in which the relevant guideline was published. We included guidelines that apply to the whole report. One author screened all the guidelines and extracted data, Another author verified a sample of the screening and extracted data. We extracted data on whether the checklist and the article(s) describing the guideline addressed the EBR approach to provide justification for a new study, to optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, to place the new results in the context of earlier studies, and whether they defined prior evidence.
Results
Among 531 checklists published on the EQUATOR, we analyzed 167 pertaining to the whole report. EBR approach was addressed in 9 (5.3%) checklists to provide justification for a new study, 3 (1.8%) to optimally design a relevant and necessary new study, and 1 (0.6%) to place the new results in the context of earlier studies. In the accompanying articles, these frequencies/percentages were 2 (1.2%), 0 (0%) and 1 (0.6%), respectively.
Conclusion
Very few of the analyzed checklists and their accompanying article(s), on the EQUATOR website included items that would foster the implementation of EBR principles. Revision of checklists and accompanying guidance should be considered to foster EBR.
Relevance and importance to patients
Direct relevance to reduce research waste.
"