B iased O utcome reporting G uidelines for U nderwhelming S tudies (BOGUS) statement and checklist

Abstract

Most biomedical research is flawed. While existing reporting guidelines (eg, STROBE, CONSORT, STARD) highlight the strengths of already strong studies, few resources exist to highlight the “strengths” ofweak studies. The Biased Outcome reporting Guidelines for Underwhelming Studies (BOGUS) initiative fills a real gap in the multitude of existing guidelines. Representing a vast effort undertaken by a single individualwith multiple opinions over seven days of productive pandemic procrastination, the guidelines are a first for “precision reporting” of underwhelming studies, and underscoreways of reporting underdeveloped methods and underachieving efforts. These guidelineswill allow authors to better underemphasise limitations, underestimate bias, and undervalue theirreaderswithout underselling theirwork.