Publication:

Changing trends with respect to standard of methodological reporting and type of research published in a pharmacology journal over a decade: a descriptive study

Background Criticisms against Indian research include features like redundant research topic, low quality methodological reporting leading to less credible results and poor statistical rigor to mention a few. A ‘publication audit’ of previously published studies in terms of research trend and standards of methodological reporting will help us to identify problem areas so that rectifications if required may be undertaken.

Methods This was a descriptive study conducted on the research articles published in a journal of Pharmacology during years 2005 and 2015. Comparison was done to see any differences in type of studies published and also to assess their standards of methodological reporting on the basis of a predesigned checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data.

Results The proportion of full length research articles published increased from 30.97% in the year 2005 to 46.58% in the year 2015, the number of studies involving human beings increased to 26.86% (as compared to 8% in 2005), studies using drugs as active principle doubled in 2015 as compared to 2005. Focus on area of research shifted from inflammation and wound healing in 2005 to central nervous system in 2015. With respect to standard of reporting, albeit some improvement in the studies published in 2015, some missing links still exist.

Conclusions There is scope for improvement in terms of report of study designs, justification of sample size and adherence to CONSORT (Consolidated statement for reporting randomized controlled trails) statement while reporting results of randomised controlled trials.