Table 4 Reporting characteristics of the analytic methodology and study inferences for 315 randomly selected HuGE articles (2001–2003)

Reported that all genetic variants were examined for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

   No

   Yes

If Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was reported, did any polymorphism reportedly fail Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (n = 151)

   No

   Yes

Summary data reported on all genetic variants of interest for all outcomes

   No

   Yes

Reported that analyses were conducted by using allele-based genetic comparisons

   No

   Yes

Reported that analyses were conducted by using genotype-based genetic comparisons

   No

   Yes

If the analyses were conducted by using genotypes, were selected comparisons or all possible comparisons assessed (n = 270)

   All possible

   Selected

Justifications given for the selection of specific genetic comparisons (n = 56)

   No

   Yes

Adjustment for multiple comparisons used

   No

   Yes

If an adjustment for multiple comparisons was used, type of adjustment was (n = 40, one article used two methods)

   Bonferroni

   Fischer's post hoc

   Monte Carlo simulations

   Scheffe's test

   Tukey's test

   Unknown

Authors discussed the public health, medical, or clinical implications of their findings

   No

   Yes (any mention)

Authors stated that this is the first study on the specific issue

   No

   Yes

Clear reference made to the first study on the specific issue (n = 266)

   No

   Yes

Clear reference made to a systematic review

   No

   Yes

Clear reference made to a non-systematic review

   No

   Yes