REPORTING GUIDELINES POLICY

The Journal of Pak International Medical College (JPIMC) is committed to improving the quality, transparency, completeness, and reproducibility of published biomedical research. Authors are required to prepare manuscripts according to internationally recognized reporting guidelines developed by the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network.

Compliance with the appropriate reporting guideline facilitates rigorous scientific reporting, enhances peer review, and improves the reliability and reproducibility of published research.

Purpose

The Reporting Guidelines Policy aims to:

  • Improve the quality and transparency of research reporting.
  • Promote complete and accurate reporting of study methods and results.
  • Facilitate peer review and editorial evaluation.
  • Enhance reproducibility of published research.
  • Ensure compliance with international publication standards.

Reporting Guidelines by Study Design

Authors must prepare manuscripts according to the reporting guideline appropriate for their study design.

Study Type

Reporting Guideline

Randomized Controlled Trial

CONSORT 2010

Observational Studies (Cross-sectional, Cohort, Case-Control)

STROBE

Systematic Reviews

PRISMA 2020

Meta-Analysis

PRISMA 2020

Case Reports

CARE Guidelines

Diagnostic Accuracy Studies

STARD 2015

Animal Research

ARRIVE 2.0

Qualitative Research

SRQR

Quality Improvement Studies

SQUIRE 2.0

Clinical Practice Guidelines

AGREE II

Economic Evaluations

CHEERS 2022

 

Mandatory Checklist Submission

Authors should submit the following documents, where applicable:

  • Completed Reporting Guideline Checklist.
  • Flow Diagram (if required).
  • Supplementary Checklist File.
  • Trial Registration Number (for clinical trials).
  • Statistical Analysis Plan (if applicable).

Failure to provide the required checklist may delay peer review.

Statistical Reporting Requirements

To improve methodological transparency, manuscripts should include:

  • Sample size calculation.
  • Statistical software and version.
  • Exact p-values.
  • 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).
  • Effect Size measures.
  • Measures of variability (SD, SE, IQR).
  • Odds Ratio (OR), Relative Risk (RR), Hazard Ratio (HR), where appropriate.
  • Regression methods.
  • Missing data handling.
  • Adjustment for confounding variables.

Flow Diagrams

Authors should include standard flow diagrams whenever applicable.

Examples include:

  • CONSORT Flow Diagram.
  • PRISMA Flow Diagram.
  • STARD Participant Flow.
  • SQUIRE Project Flow.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for:

  • Selecting the correct reporting guideline.
  • Completing the required checklist.
  • Ensuring accurate reporting of methodology.
  • Providing sufficient detail to allow replication.
  • Uploading all required supplementary files during manuscript submission.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors verify that:

  • Appropriate reporting guidelines have been followed.
  • Required checklists have been submitted.
  • Flow diagrams are included where applicable.
  • Statistical reporting is complete.
  • Manuscripts meet the journal's reporting standards before peer review.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers evaluate whether:

  • Reporting guidelines have been followed.
  • Methods are clearly described.
  • Statistical analyses are appropriately reported.
  • Results are transparent and reproducible.
  • Conclusions are supported by the data.

Reviewers may recommend revisions to improve reporting quality.

EQUATOR Network

JPIMC encourages authors to consult the EQUATOR Network, which provides internationally recognized reporting guidelines for health research.

The journal supports transparent, complete, and reproducible reporting consistent with EQUATOR recommendations.

Reporting Guideline Workflow

 Study Design Selected

          │          ▼Choose Appropriate Reporting Guideline          │          ▼Complete Reporting Checklist          │          ▼Prepare Manuscript          │          ▼Submit Checklist with Manuscript          │          ▼Editorial Verification          │          ▼Peer Review          │          ▼Publication

 

Reporting Guidelines Accepted by JPIMC

JPIMC recognizes and accepts the following international reporting standards:

  • CONSORT 2010
  • STROBE
  • PRISMA 2020
  • CARE
  • STARD 2015
  • ARRIVE 2.0
  • SRQR
  • SQUIRE 2.0
  • AGREE II
  • CHEERS 2022

Authors should use the guideline most appropriate for their study design.

Commitment to Research Quality

JPIMC is committed to publishing research that is transparent, reproducible, methodologically rigorous, and ethically conducted. Adherence to reporting guidelines improves scientific quality, facilitates peer review, and enhances the reliability of published findings.