Ensuring Inclusion of Research Reports in Systematic Reviews

Abstract 

Dijkers MP. Ensuring inclusion of research reports in systematic reviews.

Rehabilitation is supported by research evidence that is limited in both number and quality. In order for more and better evidence to be published, researchers need to improve their reports of randomized controlled trials and other interventional research. Making it likely that these reports can contribute to the cumulation of scientific knowledge through their inclusion in systematic reviews imposes some special requirements. This article discusses the following steps that investigators should follow: trial registration; reliance on Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials guidelines in protocol development and report writing; use of recommendations by authoritative groups for the use of specific measures or data sets; adherence in writing to the style and other guidelines offered by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, and the target journal's instructions for authors; clear declarations of deviations from commonly accepted study methods; and use of informal peer review.

Key Words: Clinical trials as topic, Peer review, research, Publishing, Rehabilitation

List of Abbreviations: AAN, American Academy of Neurology, CONSORT, Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials, ICMJE, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, IMRaD, Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, IRB, institutional review board, RCT, randomized controlled trial, SCI, spinal cord injury, SR, systematic review, STRICTA, Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials in Acupuncture, TBI, traumatic brain injury