About this resource

    Type of resources
    Reading
    Education level(s)
    College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education
    Primary user(s)
    Student, Teacher
    Subject area(s)
    Life Science
    Language(s)
    English
    Cluster
    Pre-analysis Planning
    Last updated
    9 November 2026
    Reading

    Preregistration of Epidemiology Protocols: A Commentary in Support

    By Michael B. Bracken

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    Level College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education · For Student, Teacher · Language English

    Abstract

    It has been proposed that observational epidemiology protocols, just like those for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), should be preregistered. Unlike the editors of the Lancet and BMJ who have endorsed the proposal, the Epidemiology editors and 5 commentators all resisted. One does not have to agree with all the details of the workshop document to believe that protocol registration has substantial advantages in epidemiologic research. Some of them are reported in this article.

    Keywords Preregistration · Epidemiology