1. ICMR ETHICAL GUIDELINES:

These guidelines cover in detail about all the ethical issues arising while conducting research on human beings, specific to the Indian setting. The guidelines cover the key ethical issues to be considered while planning a research project on human beings, regulations regarding formulation & functioning of IRBs, how to prepare informed consent form, patient information sheet etc.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://icmr.nic.in/ethical_guidelines.pdf

2. WHO ETHICAL GUIDELINES:

These guidelines cover in detail about all the ethical issues arising while conducting research on human beings, globally. The guidelines cover the key ethical issues to be considered while planning a research project on human beings, regulations regarding formulation & functioning of IRBs, how to prepare informed consent form, patient information sheet etc.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://www.cioms.ch/publications/layout_guide2002.pdf

3. REFERENCE GUIDELINES: (Uniform requirements for manuscripts (URMs)

These guidelines by international committee of medical journal ethics deals with uniform requirements that are to be followed in preparing a scientific work submitted to medical journals. They predominantly deal with how to cite various kinds of published and grey literature, proper citation style etc.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://www.icmje.org/about-icmje/faqs/icmje-recommendations/

4. STROBE GUIDELINES:

The Strengthening the reporting of observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines deals with standard way of reporting of observational studies.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://www.strobe-statement.org/fileadmin/Strobe/uploads/checklists/STROBE_checklist_v4_combined.pdf

5. CONSORT STATEMENT:

CONSORT statement is an evidence-based, minimum set of recommendations for reporting randomized trials. It offers a standard way for authors to prepare reports of trial findings, facilitating their complete and transparent reporting, and aiding their critical appraisal and interpretation. The CONSORT Statement comprises a 25-item checklist and a flow diagram. The checklist items focus on reporting how the trial was designed, analyzed, and interpreted; the flow diagram displays the progress of all participants through the trial. The CONSORT “Explanation and Elaboration” document explains and illustrates the principles underlying the CONSORT Statement. We strongly recommend that it is used in conjunction with the CONSORT Statement. In addition, extensions of the CONSORT Statement have been developed to give additional guidance for RCTs with specific designs, data and interventions.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://www.consort-statement.org/consort-2010

6. PRISMA STATEMENT:

PRISMA is an evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. PRISMA focuses on the reporting of reviews evaluating randomized trials, but can also be used as a basis for reporting systematic reviews of other types of research, particularly evaluations of interventions.

Full guidelines can be found at : http://www.prisma-statement.org/PRISMAStatement/PRISMAStatement.aspx