What needs registration?

The Clinical Register

What needs registration

Registration promotes transparency, prevents selective reporting, and strengthens the credibility of the scientific record. The following study types are eligible and, where applicable, expected to be registered.

 
General principle: Any prospective or hypothesis-driven study involving human participants, patient data, or predefined outcomes should be registered before data collection begins whenever feasible. 

1) Clinical trials

  • Randomized controlled trials

  • Non-randomized interventional studies

  • Device trials and procedural trials

  • Drug and biologic studies

  • Behavioral and digital health interventions

  • Pragmatic and cluster trials

2) Observational studies

  • Prospective cohort studies

  • Case-control studies

  • Cross-sectional studies with predefined outcomes

  • Registry-based observational research

  • Natural history studies

3) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

  • Systematic reviews with predefined protocol

  • Meta-analyses

  • Network meta-analyses

  • Umbrella reviews

  • Scoping reviews with structured methodology

Registration should occur before data extraction begins.

4) Case reports and case series

  • Single case reports with structured objective

  • Case series with predefined inclusion criteria

  • Rare disease or rare complication reports

Registration is encouraged to document intent, predefined outcomes, and ethical oversight.

5) Diagnostic and prognostic studies

  • Diagnostic accuracy studies

  • Validation of prediction models

  • Biomarker validation studies

  • Artificial intelligence and algorithm validation

6) Quality improvement and service evaluations

  • Prospective quality improvement projects

  • Implementation science studies

  • Structured service evaluations with predefined endpoints

7) Secondary data and database studies

  • Predefined analyses of existing datasets

  • Registry-based secondary analyses

  • Administrative database studies with predefined outcomes

What does not typically require registration

  • Narrative reviews without predefined methodology

  • Editorials and opinion pieces

  • Letters to the editor

  • Educational material without research objectives

If in doubt, register

Registration strengthens transparency, supports journal submission, and protects the integrity of your study protocol.

Register your study

Last updated: 2026-02-16