PLOS Clinical Trials

PLOS Clinical Trials is a peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to publishing results from clinical trials across all medical and health disciplines. The journal aims to increase transparency and accessibility of clinical trial findings, regardless of the outcome or significance of the results. By doing so, PLOS Clinical Trials plays a crucial role in advancing medical research and evidence-based medicine.

Overview

Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary method for determining whether a new treatment, like a new drug, diet, or medical device, is safe and effective in humans. PLOS Clinical Trials provides a platform for researchers to publish their findings, including preliminary, positive, negative, and inconclusive results. This approach helps to mitigate publication bias, a significant issue in medical research where journals tend to publish only studies with positive outcomes.

Mission

The mission of PLOS Clinical Trials is to foster a comprehensive and transparent record of clinical research by providing an accessible outlet for the publication of all clinical trial results. The journal encourages the submission of articles from all phases of clinical trials, from early-stage studies to late-stage trials and post-marketing surveillance studies.

Submission and Peer Review Process

Submissions to PLOS Clinical Trials undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of the published research. The journal employs a double-blind review system, where both the reviewers and the authors are anonymized to maintain impartiality. Articles are assessed based on their methodological soundness, ethical standards, and significance to the field.

Open Access Policy

As an open-access journal, all articles published in PLOS Clinical Trials are freely available to read, download, and share from the moment of publication. This policy ensures that researchers, clinicians, patients, and policymakers can access the latest clinical trial results without subscription barriers, facilitating the dissemination and application of new knowledge in healthcare.

Article Types

PLOS Clinical Trials publishes a variety of article types, including but not limited to:

• Original research articles reporting on findings from all stages of clinical trials.
• Methodology articles discussing the design, implementation, and analysis of clinical trials.
• Review articles providing comprehensive overviews of specific aspects of clinical trial research.
• Commentary and opinion pieces on policy, ethical, and social issues related to clinical trials.

Ethical Considerations

The journal adheres to strict ethical guidelines for the conduct and reporting of clinical trials. Authors are required to register their trials in a publicly accessible database before submission and must follow international standards for human research ethics, including obtaining informed consent from all participants.

Impact

By promoting the open dissemination of clinical trial results, PLOS Clinical Trials contributes to the advancement of medical science and the improvement of patient care. The journal's commitment to publishing a broad range of trial outcomes helps to build a more complete and nuanced understanding of treatment effects, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.