Journal characteristics publishing RCTs classified as ‘no concern’, ‘awaiting classification’ and ‘exclude’ (n=149)
| Journal characteristics | No concern (n=90) | Awaiting classification (n=15) | Exclude (n=44)* |
| Adherence to ICMJE recommendations | |||
| Published by journal following ICMJE recommendations† | 82 | 9 | 27 |
| Published at or after the date the journal starts to follow ICMJE recommendations | 74 | 5 | 22 |
| Published before the date the journal starts to follow ICMJE recommendations | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown when the journal starts to follow | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Published by journal not (mandatorily) following ICMJE recommendations† or with insufficient information | 8 | 6 | 17 |
| MEDLINE indexing | |||
| Published by journal indexed for MEDLINE | 82 | 14 | 33 |
| Published by journal currently not indexed for MEDLINE | 8 | 1 | 11 |
| Level within the Norwegian Register‡ | |||
| Level X | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Level 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Level 1 | 19 | 14 | 23 |
| Level 2 | 68 | 1 | 9 |
| Not listed or currently not assessed | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Listed on Beall’s list | |||
| Published by journals/publishers not listed on Beall’s list | 89 | 14 | 41 |
| Published by predatory journals/publishers according to Beall’s list | 1 | 1 | 3 |
*Including 33 retrospectively registered RCTs and 11 non-registered RCTs.
†Information on homepage/via email contact regarding prospective trial registration or journal listed on ICMJE list.
‡The Norwegian Register’s ranking system includes levels X, 0, 1 and 2. Level 1 and 2 journals are approved, with level 2 meeting all criteria and level 1 meeting the minimum requirements. Level 0 journals do not meet the standards, while level X indicates uncertainty due to concerns about predatory practices.
ICMJE, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors; RCTs, randomised controlled trials.