Applying the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) to studies of mental health provision for juvenile offenders: a research note

The degree of reporting transparency in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is an important factor when the validity of any results is being considered. The use of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines has improved the reporting standards of RCTs in many healthcare journals, but these guidelines have yet to be adopted universally. In this study, we applied the CONSORT Statement to RCTs identified from a systematic review of mental health provisions for juvenile offenders. We assessed the number of CONSORT items reported in each trial and investigated the extent of endorsement by journal editors. The findings showed that some items were fully endorsed (e.g., the aim of the study) whereas other items, such as sample size estimations, were not presented in any of the trials. A minority of journals supported the use of the CONSORT Statement in their journals’ instructions for authors. The overall reporting standard for this sample of trials was, therefore, mixed. Comparisons with trials conducted in other disciplines are discussed, and suggestions for improving reporting standards are presented.

Amanda E. PerryEmail:

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Dr. Amanda E. Perry   is a Senior Research Fellow and Chartered Forensic Psychologist at the Centre for Criminal Justice, Economics and Psychology at the University of York. Amanda is also the recent editor of a book evaluating the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions in the UK. Mathew Johnson   is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology and has worked on an evaluation of a multi-site randomised controlled trial.