New actions by PLoS Medicine Editors to advance research transparency – focus on observational studies

An editorial published in PLoS Medicine introduces new measure to further support transparency and usability of published research. PLoS editors are strengthening their reporting requirements for observational and diagnostic accuracy studies (requiring the use of STROBE and STARD reporting guidelines when preparing research manuscripts). Further changes in editorial policies relate to extending journals’ data sharing policies and protocol availability to observational studies.

This move should undoubtedly provide inspiration to other journal editors (see the EQUATOR toolkit for editors for more resources, guidance, examples and editorials from other journals, etc.)

Reference:

The PLOS Medicine Editors (2014) Observational Studies: Getting Clear about Transparency. PLoS Med 11(8): e1001711. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001711