Registered Reports: response from the Chinese PRO SIG

The Quality of Life Research journal has recently caught up with the trend of publishing Registered Reports, a new publication format for reporting results from a theoretically sound and novel study that has been planned a priori and properly adhered irrespective of whether there is statistical significance [1]. The format of Registered Reports in Quality of Life Research features a two-stage review process, with stage 1 focusing on the scientific rigor and innovation, after which an “In-principle Acceptance” may be issued, and stage 2 focusing on the extent the study conduct has adhered the plan as stipulated in stage 1. Such a new publication format under the 2-stage review process was developed to alleviate the long-standing issue of p-hacking or hypothesizing after results are known (HARKing) that lead to publication bias towards positive findings [2]. The Chinese PRO SIG of the International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) would like to congratulate Quality of Life Research for the success of accomplishing the new initiative. It had been discussed in the SIG meeting at the 27th virtual annual ISOQOL conference in October 2020. …