Introduction:
The aim of this study was to develop a criteria catalogue serving as a guideline
for authors to improve quality of Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research
(REHBaR). Main focus was in the field of biochemical and biological experiments. So far,
there was no guideline for scientists and authors available, unlike criteria catalogues
common in clinical research.
Methods:
A Delphi Process was conducted among experts who published experimental work within
the last five years in this field. The process included a total of five rounds, three
rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences.
Results:
A checklist of 23 items was achieved, augmented with detailed examples how to handle
each item while compiling a publication. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses
are necessary to be given in the part ‘introduction’. The section ‘materials and methods’
is the most important part, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object
of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation,
blinding, and statistical methods is mandatory. In the ‘results’ section sufficient
details on analysed data, descriptive as well as inferential are needed. Moreover,
authors should discuss their results and interpret them in the context of current
evidence. REHBaR was compiled for authors when preparing their manuscripts, and to be used by scientific
journals in the reviewing process.
Conclusions:
Reporting experiments in basic research in homeopathy is an important issue to state
the quality and validity of gained results. A guideline for REHBaR seemed to be the first step to come to a commitment what information is necessary
to be given in a paper. More than that, the catalogue can serve as a statement what
the standards in good basic research should be.
Key words
Reporting - Checklist - Quality - Experiments - Ultra high dilution - Homeopathy
