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Category: Project

Description: Studies investigating causal mechanisms are becoming increasingly common. Despite growing numbers of publications and trialist embedding mechanism evaluations into randomised controlled trials and observational studies, the reporting accuracy and consistency of mechanism studies is suboptimal. The heterogeneity in the reporting of mechanism evaluations stifles systematic reviews, complicates meta-analyses, and limits transparency and replication. The aim of this initiative is to develop a reporting guideline for mechanism evaluations (mediation analyses). We also plan to develop an accompanying explanation and elaboration (E&E) paper. This project is the first initiative to address the issue of poor reporting quality of mechanism evaluations and has been registered on the “Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency of health Research” (EQUATOR) network. This initiative is being conducted in accordance with the Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines. This draft report provides an update on the progress of the project; summarising achievements to date and future work. Currently, multiple phases of the overall program are running in parallel, with each phase informing the subsequent.