Replicating and publishing research in different countries and different settings: advice for authors

Grand Rounds in Methodology: a new series to contribute to continuous improvement of methodology and scientific rigour in quality and safety

“…Replication of research is clearly important, and different results on, for example, the effectiveness of an intervention are often a starting point for further in-depth exploration to further our understanding and knowledge. 21 As part of Grand Rounds in Methodology, we aim to contribute to such debates on the use of different methodological approaches. We also aim to more broadly add guidance on how variables related to race/ethnicity and social determinants of health should be reported and used in analyses 22 so that published research will increase our understanding on how to achieve equitable care and health as part of our continued efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of quality and safety.…”

“…As editors, we support statistical code being shared, for example, as a supplemental file or on one of the available separate platforms. Replication of research is clearly important, and different results on, for example, the effectiveness of an intervention are often a starting point for further in-depth exploration to further our understanding and knowledge 21…”

Our mission and how we hope to move the field forward: statement from theBMJ Quality & Safetysenior editorial team 2023

“…As we move forward, we would like the balance between studies to shift from those focusing on describing problems to those focusing on solutions. We highlighted this in a recent editorial noting that we are not interested in describing ‘safety problem Y in every country of the world or in every different setting’ 8. Descriptive studies of safety problems done in a single country or single institution will only be considered if they move the field forward by, for example, analysing how context influences the causes or prevalence of different safety issues or by gaining more insights into the underlying mechanism(s) through which safety problems might occur.…”

“…We highlighted this in a recent editorial noting that we are not interested in describing 'safety problem Y in every country of the world or in every different setting'. 8 Descriptive studies of safety problems done in a single country or single institution will only be considered if they move the field forward by, for example, analysing how context influences the causes or prevalence of different safety issues or by gaining more insights into the underlying mechanism(s) through which safety problems might occur. Descriptive studies may also be considered if they describe a new or poorly understood safety problem, especially if it is common or has a large impact.…”