A reporting guideline is a simple, structured tool for health researchers to use while writing manuscripts. It provides a minimum list of information needed to ensure a manuscript can be:
A reporting guideline is defined as “a checklist, flow diagram, or structured text to guide authors in reporting a specific type of research, developed using explicit methodology.” (What is a reporting guideline?, 2022)
There are a variety of reporting standards for systematic reviews. These can serve as templates or guides for protocol and manuscript preparation. Some journals might require researchers to follow certain standards for systematic review publication.
Some commonly used guidelines:
An evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. There are a number of extensions of the original PRISMA standards including PRISMA-P (an updated version of PRISMA) and PRISMA-IPD (for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of individual participant data).
An international standard for literature search reporting aligned with the PRISMA Statement to improve the quality and reproducibility of reported literature searches.
The EQUATOR Network gathers guidelines for reporting on different types of trials and research studies.
These standards are adapted from the Cochrane MECIR standards and are for disciplines beyond medicine such as crime, justice, education, international development, methods, social welfare, disability, business, knowledge translation/implementation and food security.
A resource which describes the Cochrane systematic review process.
STAndards for Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy studies (STARD) is a checklist for reporting studies of diagnostic accuracy.
STRengthening the Reporting of OBservation studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) is a checklist for reporting observational studies.
Standards for reporting qualitative research: a synthesis of recommendations - for qualitative research. Checklist is in Table 1.
REporting recommendations for tumor MARKer prognostic studies (REMARK).
The ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0 are updated guidelines for reporting animal research.
Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis (TRIPOD): The TRIPOD statement.
Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research: ENTREQ.
Equator Network provides a decision tree chart to determine the preferred reporting guideline for your review.
What is a reporting guideline? | EQUATOR Network (equator-network.org)
What is a reporting guideline? Equator network. (n.d.).