The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is partnering with the EQUATOR Network to improve reporting on research for health in the Americas through the use of guidelines that promote greater accuracy and transparency. The guidelines will help make study results fit for publication and practical use.
Guidelines will help make study results fit for publication and practical use
Washington, DC, July 16, 2010 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is partnering with the EQUATOR Network to improve reporting on research for health in the Americas through the use of guidelines that promote greater accuracy and transparency.
Under an agreement signed this month, PAHO will translate EQUATOR's guidelines on the reporting of research results and promote their use for the benefit of PAHO member countries in Latin America. The goal of the partnership is to make more research write-ups fit for publication and use in policymaking and clinical practice.
"Complete, accurate, and transparent reporting is an integral part of responsible research conduct," said EQUATOR Network Chair Prof. Doug Altman. "Reporting guidelines like the CONSORT Statement help to improve the quality of research reports." The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) Statement is an evidence-based, minimum set of recommendations for reporting randomized controlled trials.
Studies have shown that reports on the findings of health research frequently lack crucial information, making it difficult for peer reviewers, readers, and others to assess the validity and reliability of the results. This problem can largely be overcome through the use of common guidelines and standards.
The new partnership will allow EQUATOR to broaden the outreach of its website resources in this area to all Spanish-speaking countries and provides PAHO with an opportunity to promote adherence to international reporting standards and help raise the quality of publications and research reporting in the Americas.
"Papers that follow the EQUATOR guidelines will have a better chance of being published, and adherence to these guidelines will enhance transparency and facilitate better use of research results," said Dr. Luis Gabriel Cuervo, Regional Advisor on Health Research Promotion and Development at PAHO. "Better reporting standards within national health research systems should bring better returns for investment in research for health, by facilitating the use and implementation of research results."
"This is a very first attempt to translate the EQUATOR Library for Health Research Reporting," said Dr. Iveta Simera, head of EQUATOR Programme Development. "We look forward to working with PAHO to gradually customize all our resources for authors, editors and peer reviewers to make them very relevant to the local needs."
Visit the EQUATOR Network in English and in Spanish.
The Pan American Health Organization
PAHO is the leading international public health agency in the Americas with over 107 years of experience working to improve health and quality of life of people in the Americas. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the United Nations and Inter-American systems.
For more information about PAHO contact Donna Eberwine. For more information on PAHO's Research for Health initiatives and PAHO's Policy on Research for Health, visit www.paho.org/ResearchPortal.
EQUATOR Network
The EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network is an international initiative, led by experts in the area of research methodology, reporting, and publishing, that seeks to enhance the reliability and value of the medical research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting of research studies. EQUATOR provides free online resources for authors, editors and peer reviewers, supported by education and training activities, and assists in the development of robust reporting guidelines.
EQUATOR is the first coordinated attempt to tackle the problems of inadequate reporting of research on a worldwide scale. The Network collaborates closely with journals, reporting guideline developers, educators and research funders.
To learn more about the EQUATOR Network, visit the website or contact Iveta Simera.
