Guidelines aim to improve reporting on livestock trials

REFLECT statement endorsed by Journal of Dairy Science.

A process developed by Iowa State University researchers to help authors improve the reporting of livestock trials was recently endorsed by the Journal of Dairy Science, according to an announcement from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine.

The process, REFLECT (Reporting Guidelines for Randomized Controlled Trials), consists of a checklist of 22 items for authors to use to improve the reporting of livestock trials and challenge studies with production, health or food safety outcomes. REFLECT helps researchers report their findings in a thorough and consistent manner so producers and veterinarians can better understand the implications and limitations of the studies, the announcement said.

Developed by a team that includes veterinary epidemiologist Annette O’Connor, REFLECT is a step forward in improving the approach to reporting research studies so the results can be used more fully, the college noted.

“The endorsement by the Journal of Dairy Science is great news,” O’Connor said. “Since developing the REFLECT process, we have evidence that it works. Endorsement by the world’s leading dairy research journal will advance the use of the process and have a significant impact on animal health and food safety research by increasing research reproducibility and reducing research wastage.”

The reporting guidelines can be found at the Meridian website, housed by the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, which is a clearinghouse for reporting guidelines for animal studies.