Classification | Reason for citation | Observational research | Systematic review, meta-analysis |
Appropriate | Guideline for reporting of study | 26 | 0 |
Inappropriate | Guideline for design and conduct of study | 3 | 0 |
Tool to assess methodological quality | 0 | 10 | |
Neutral | Tool to assess reporting quality | 0 | 5 |
Example to stress the importance of reporting guidelines | 0 | 1 | |
Other* | 2 | 1 | |
Unclear | 1 | 2 | |
Total | 32 | 19 |
↵* This category includes observational studies which cited STROBE as a guideline without making it clear whether the guidance related to reporting or methodology, or articles which mentioned STROBE in a commentary.