Standard of Reporting

Last Updated: April 2026

To ensure the highest level of clarity, transparency, and reproducibility, authors are required to adhere to recognized reporting standards specific to their study design.

We advocate for the use of the following frameworks and checklists during manuscript preparation: 

  • Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): Submissions must align with the CONSORT Statement and utilize the SPIRIT Checklist for trial protocols.
  • Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Authors should follow the PRISMA Statement and Checklist. We also recommend consulting the Cochrane Handbook and registering reviews in the PROSPERO database.
  • Observational Studies in Epidemiology: Compliance with the STROBE Checklist is required for cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies.
  • Diagnostic and Clinical Reports: Diagnostic accuracy studies must follow the STARD Checklist, while clinical case reports should adhere to the CARE Checklist.
  • Animal and Qualitative Research: Research involving animals must be reported according to the ARRIVE Guidelines. Qualitative studies should utilize the COREQ Checklist.
  • Economic and Interventional Descriptions: Interventions should be detailed using the TIDieR Checklist, and health technology evaluations should refer to the GHTC Checklist.

Nomenclature and Standardized Terminology

The use of standardized nomenclature is essential for global scientific communication. Authors must ensure that all technical terms and sequences conform to international consensus: 

  • Chemical Compounds: All chemical substances must be named according to the systematic nomenclature established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) systems.
  • Genetic Sequences: Gene and protein nomenclature must follow the standards set by the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) or the Genome Reference Consortium (GRC).

By adhering to these rigorous reporting and naming standards, authors ensure that their research is citable, reproducible, and seamlessly integrated into the global body of scientific knowledge.