Table 1 Endorsement types defined with examples

Active strong

A requirement of a completed checklist and/or a flow diagram with article submission (e.g., “must”, “should be uploaded”)

Randomized controlled trials should state whether the manuscript is written in accordance with the requirements of the CONSORT statement. For details, please refer to various CONSORT extensions and other related resources (www.consort-statement.org). (Chinese Journal of General Surgery)

The article submission requires that different research designs should comply with its reporting guidelines (including the checklist). The examples include CONSORT for randomized controlled trials (www.consort-statement.org), STROBE for reporting observational studies in epidemiology (strobe-statement.org), PRISMA for meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (prisma-statement.org), STARD for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies (www.stard-statement.org) and CARE for case reports (https://www.care-statement.org/). (Chinese Journal of Diabetes Mellitus)

“Randomized controlled trials should be presented according to the CONSORT guidelines. At manuscript submission, authors must provide the CONSORT checklist accompanied by a flow diagram that illustrates the progress of patients through the trial, including recruitment, enrollment, randomization, withdrawal and completion, and a detailed description of the randomization procedure. The CONSORT checklist and template flow diagram can be found on http://www.consort-statement.org.” (The Journal of Biomedical Research)

Active weak

A suggestion that authors are “encouraged” or “should” reference or follow a specific guideline; Priority publication if follow a specific guideline

Please refer to the corresponding reporting guidelines for the format of the paper. The examples include CONSORT 2010 checklist, CONSORT-CHM Formulas checklist, Acupuncture Interventions (STRICTA) checklist, the STRICTOC checklist, COREQ for qualitative research, PRISMA checklist for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. (Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine)

Priority publication: Papers written in accordance with the specifications of reporting guidelines, such as the Consolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement, CONSORT Extension for Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas 2017. (Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine)

“Reporting of randomized controlled trials should follow the guidelines of The CONSORT Statement: http://www.consort-statement.org” (Chinese Journal of Cancer Research)

Passive moderate

A suggestion that authors should adhere to “relevant” reporting guidelines; Abstracts are required to follow a specific guideline

The abstract of a prospective clinical trial study should contain the essential elements listed in the CONSORT statement (http://www.consort-statement.org/home) (Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery)

Passive weak

References documents (e.g., ICMJE or editorial policies) which mention reporting guidelines

“Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion” adopts the format and requirements of the new version of “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals” formulated by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) (Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)

“Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals by ICMJE (www.icmje.org)” (Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science)

None

No mention of any reporting guidelines

Not applicable