• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.77-88
• /
• 2022

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the quality of radiomics studies on brain metastases based on the radiomics quality score (RQS), Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) checklist, and the Image Biomarker Standardization Initiative (IBSI) guidelines. Materials and Methods: PubMed MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched for articles on radiomics for evaluating brain metastases, published until February 2021. Of the 572 articles, 29 relevant original research articles were included and evaluated according to the RQS, TRIPOD checklist, and IBSI guidelines. Results: External validation was performed in only three studies (10.3%). The median RQS was 3.0 (range, -6 to 12), with a low basic adherence rate of 50.0%. The adherence rate was low in comparison to the "gold standard" (10.3%), stating the potential clinical utility (10.3%), performing the cut-off analysis (3.4%), reporting calibration statistics (6.9%), and providing open science and data (3.4%). None of the studies involved test-retest or phantom studies, prospective studies, or cost-effectiveness analyses. The overall rate of adherence to the TRIPOD checklist was 60.3% and low for reporting title (3.4%), blind assessment of outcome (0%), description of the handling of missing data (0%), and presentation of the full prediction model (0%). The majority of studies lacked pre-processing steps, with bias-field correction, isovoxel resampling, skull stripping, and gray-level discretization performed in only six (20.7%), nine (31.0%), four (3.8%), and four (13.8%) studies, respectively. Conclusion: The overall scientific and reporting quality of radiomics studies on brain metastases published during the study period was insufficient. Radiomics studies should adhere to the RQS, TRIPOD, and IBSI guidelines to facilitate the translation of radiomics into the clinical field.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.12
• /
• pp.610-614
• /
• 2017

Scientists planning research that involves the use of animals are required to examine the possibilities for replacement, reduction, or refinement (the Three Rs), and their protocol must be reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Good scientific practice involving appropriate search techniques on the available Three Rs resources is essential for both ethical and scientific reasons. Appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis techniques are particularly necessary for research involving the use of animals, because this can improve animal welfare and scientific outcomes, as well as saving animal lives. There are a number of resources to help researchers improve their search techniques, experimental design strategies, and their reporting of research involving the use of animals. However, there is little specific information or resources on the Three Rs alternatives that is readily available in the Korean language. This paper outlines the common errors made by submitting researchers that have been repeatedly observed during the ethical review of experimental protocols over the last ten years, and provides information on the Korean resources available to promote good scientific practice. This could help to bridge the gap between Korean scientists and animal welfare advocates assisting scientists to improve ethical considerations and conduct responsible research.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.131-140
• /
• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of case reports from the Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine. Methods Case reports were selected from the Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine from January 2015 to April 2018, by utilizing Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). The quality of the reports were reviewed based on the Consensus-based Clinical Case Reporting Guideline Development (CARE) guideline. Results Total of 13 case reports were finally selected for the assessment. 73.08% of the case reports included necessary information based on the CARE guideline but the rest of the reports did not. More than 50% of the reports were missing data regarding 'Timeline', 'Diagnostic challenges', 'Intervention adherence and tolerability', 'Adverse and unanticipated events', or 'Patient perspective or experience'. Also, the reports did not include 'Key word', 'Introduction in abstract', 'Case presentation in abstract', or 'The rationale for conclusions' information. Conclusions Case reports from the Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine have important role in pediatrics. Efforts are needed to improve the quality of the case reports as well as to develop reporting guidelines for the Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.85-98
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Standardization and clear description of locating acupuncture points guarantees reproducibility and credibility of the results in animal studies of acupuncture points and meridians. In this study, we aimed at analyzing the acupoint description of the previous experimental studies and suggesting guidelines for related journals. Methods : We searched animal studies where acupuncture points were used in Journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society and Journal of Meridian & Acupoint with a limitation of period, from 2002 to 2006. Data on experimental animals, acupuncture points and their descriptions were extracted and put in a predefined form. They were classified as one of the 4 classes; A) descriptions of the acupuncture points present, B) no description of the acupuncture points and only reference provided, C) neither description of the acupuncture points nor reference provided, or D) acupuncture point detector used. Two authors independently extracted and classified the data and the disagreements were resolved by discussion. Experts were invited to rate acupuncture point description validity on a numeric rating scale in the 11-item questionnaire. Results : Two hundred and five studies were identified and classified as follows; A) 32.2% (n=66), B) 7.8% (n=16), C) 51.2% (n=105), and D) 8.8% (n=18). Experts ratings were significantly lower for class C (mean${\pm}$SD, 2.14${\pm}$1.35, 95% CI [1.90, 2.39], P = 0.004 compared with class B, P ${\leq}$ 0.001 compared with class A or C) and no difference was found between classes A, B, and D. Conclusions : Reporting of acupuncture points in experimental animals is poor and validity and reliability of the result from such reporting is hampered. We suggest that journal editors and experts provide guidelines for reporting animal acupuncture points and adopt them into guide for authors for related journals.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.213-221
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for correlation and regression. Method: Original research articles utilized correlation and regression analysis were reviewed from the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Thirty-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. Result: Thirty articles (83.3%) utilized Pearson's correlational analysis, and ten articles did regression analysis. Lack of accurate understanding and interpretation of the statistical method was a main fault. Basic assumptions and diagnostic testings for each statistical method were not performed or described in most of the studies. Some points like consistency of research questions with statistical methods and criteria for sample size were still left out in part. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors in English of result tables were found in more than one third of the tables. Conclusion: The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.121-140
• /
• 2018

Objectives This research was aimed to analyze and assess the articles of qualitative research of Pediatrics by following Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Methods Two researchers analyzed and assessed the reports' quality and appropriateness based on COREQ guideline. The articles that failed to achieve consensus from the two researchers, the third researcher made a final decision. Results A total of fifty-six reports which used caregivers as participants, were selected and adopted qualitative research methods were chosen. In most qualitative studies, COREQ was not implemented. Some parts of the studies were poorly described and elaborated when reviewing them based on the COREQ guidelines. In the 'Research team and reflexivity', there was lack of description about the researcher. In the 'Study design', there were no detailed descriptions on the approaches they took in recruiting their study participants. There was not enough detail reflexivity participants who refused, and where the recruitment took place. There were also no records of whether there was a pilot test or a data saturation. In 'Analysis and findings' section, there were few articles mentioning Participant checking, and the main opinion of the participants were well analyzed in all the papers, but excluding opinions of few participants. Conclusions There are still many qualitative studies that have caregivers as participants, in the field of pediatrics. However, methodological skills are insufficient. The use of the COREQ guidelines should be further implemented for more robust and methodological improvement.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.17-34
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of case reports published in the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology from April 2019 to February 2024, compared with January 2015 to March 2019. Methods: Case reports were selected by searching from archive on the website of society of the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology. The quality of the case reports were assessed based on CAse REport (CARE) guideline. Results: A total of 30 case reports was finally included for the assessment. Overall quality of reporting for case reports published from April 2019 to February 2024 was improved compared to one of previous study. However, the 4 items of CARE guidelines with an unreported rate of 50% or more - patient's perspective on interventions (96.67%), diagnostic challenges (93.33%), intervention adherence and tolerability (93.33%), adverse events (56.67%) - are items that require active description in future case reports. In addition, Keyword and timeline have more than 50% reported to be 'Not-sufficient' in both previous and present studies. So active efforts by researchers are needed to include 'Case report (or Case study)' in keywords, and to include intervention by period, symptom changes in a timeline. Conclusions: Despite the overall improvement in the quality of reporting in the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, efforts to improve the quality of case reports should be continued.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.108-116
• /
• 2020

Objective: To investigate the concordance of three international guidelines: the Korean Thyroid Association/Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology, American Thyroid Association, and American College of Radiology for thyroid nodules classified by ultrasonography (US) and the diagnostic performance of simulated size criteria for malignant biopsies. Materials and Methods: A total of 2586 thyroid nodules (≥ 1 cm) were collected from two multicenter study datasets. The classifications of the thyroid nodules were based on three different guidelines according to US categories for malignancy risk, and the concordance rate between the different guidelines was calculated for the classified nodules. In addition, the diagnostic performance of criteria related to four different simulated biopsy sizes was evaluated. Results: The concordance rate of nodules classified as high- or intermediate-suspicion was high (84.1-100%), but low-suspicion or mildly-suspicious nodules exhibited relatively low concordance (63.8-83.8%) between the three guidelines. The differences in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy between the guidelines were 0.7-19.8%, 0-40.9%, and 0.1-30.5%, respectively, when the original biopsy criteria were applied. The differences decreased to 0-5.9%, 0-10.9%, and 0.1-8.2%, respectively, when simulated, similar biopsy size criteria were applied. The unnecessary biopsy rate calculated with the original criteria (0-33.8%), decreased with the simulated biopsy size criteria (0-8.7%). Conclusion: We found a high concordance between the three guidelines for high- or intermediate-suspicion nodules, and the diagnostic performance of the biopsy criteria was approximately equivalent for each simulated size criterion. The difference in diagnostic performance between the three guidelines is mostly influenced by the various size thresholds for biopsies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.134-154
• /
• 2002

Acupuncture treatment and control group interventions in parallel-group randomised trials of acupuncture are not always precisely reported. In an attempt to improve standards, an international group of experienced acupuncturists and researchers devised a set of recommendations, designating them STRICTA : STandards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture. In a further consensus-building round, the editors of several journals helped redraft the recommendations. These follow the CONSORT format, acting as an extension of the CONSORT guidelines for the specific requirements of acupuncture studies. Participating journals are publishing the STRICTA recommendations and requesting prospective authors to adhere to them when preparing reports for publication. Other journals are invited to adopt these recommendations. The intended outcome is that interventions in controlled trials of acupuncture will be more adequately reported, thereby facilitating an improvement in critical appraisal, analysis and replication of trials.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This paper was written to introduce methods of using the research ethics committee (RES) from requesting the initial review to reporting the close-out for nursing researchers. Methods: General ethical principles were described by reviewing the 'Bioethics and Safety Act' and other related guidelines, and constructing some questions and answers. Results: The results were composed of three parts; definition of RES, steps in using RES, and archiving. The 7 steps for using RES were; identifying whether the study needed to be reviewed, by the RES identifying whether the study could be exempted, requesting the initial review after preparing documents, requesting the re-review, requesting an amendment review, requesting a continuing review and reporting the close-out. Conclusion: Nursing researchers need to receive RES approval before starting nursing research involving human subjects. Nursing researchers are urged to use the steps reported in this paper to receive RES approval easily and quickly.