EQUATOR Network: Standards for Reporting Health Research

EQUATOR (Enhancing QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) is a global network that develops, endorses, and promotes reporting guidelines for health and life sciences research. Founded in 2006 and hosted by the University of Oxford, EQUATOR maintains a library of 500+ guidelines covering study designs (randomized trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, case reports, qualitative research, etc.). Major guidelines include CONSORT (randomized controlled trials), STROBE (observational studies), PRISMA (systematic reviews and meta-analyses), and CARE (case reports). These guidelines specify which items must be reported and how to report them, reducing inconsistency and enabling readers to assess study validity. Many journals now require adherence to relevant EQUATOR guidelines.