It is important to specify exactly how the patients were selected. The patients must be described in detail so that there will be no questions about uncontrolled variables. Explain why some patients were dropped from the follow-up and whether or not they were representative of the primary series. For animals, the species, sex, age, breed, and physiologic state should be given. Describe in detail how the measurements were made and the techniques used.
Reports of randomized controlled trials should comply with the CONSORT statement (www.consort-statement.org).
The study protocol (e.g., the protocol approved by the ethics committee) and a completed CONSORT checklist and flowchart should be appended to the manuscript.
All clinical trials submitted for consideration should have been registered in a public trials registry.
Authors of systematic reviews and meta-analyses are advised to consult the consensus statements QUORUM and MOOSE for randomized trials and observational studies, respectively (see JAMA 2000; 283: 2008Ð12 and www.consort-statement.org/QUOROM.pdf).