Occupational Epidemiology/Research tools/Ongoing projects/Mental Health in Seafaring/Guidelines for writing of the article

STROBE guidelines

Title page

• Article title
• Authors
• Affiliations
• Contact, name, email, affiliation

Summary

150-250 words

INTRODUCTION

• Explain the scientific background and the justification of the investigation that is reported.

Objectives

• What is 'the research question' , including any pre-specified hypothesis

METHODS

• Present the key elements of the study design at the beginning of the document.

Adjustment

• Describe the environment, locations and relevant dates, including periods of recruitment, exposure, monitoring and data collection.

Participants

• (a) Indicate the eligibility criteria and the sources and methods of selection of the participants.

Variables

• Clearly define all results, exposures, predictors, possible confounding factors and effect modifiers. Indicate the diagnostic criteria, if applicable.

Data sources / measurement

• For each variable of interest, provide data sources and details of the evaluation (measurement) methods. Describe the comparability of evaluation methods if there is more than one group.

Partiality

• Describe any effort to address possible sources of bias.

Study size

• Explain how the study size was reached.

Quantitative variables

• Explain how quantitative variables were handled in the analyzes. If applicable, describe which groupings were chosen and why

Statistical methods

• (a) Describe all statistical methods, including those used to control confusion
• (b) Describe any method used to examine subgroups and interactions
• (c) Explain how the missing data was addressed
• (d) If applicable, describe the analytical methods taking into account the sampling strategy
• (e) Describe any sensitivity analysis

Informed consent

Participants will be explained the purpose and details of the study by confirming consent from the beginning of the questionnaire before the start. All participant information will be confidential and will only be used for scientific purposes.

Ethical requirements

Ethical standards for database research are met. Confidentiality in the handling of personal information is carried out in accordance with the rules established by the National Agency for Data Protection. Sensitive personal information is not included, so approval of the Ethics Committee is not necessary. Written informed consent is obtained.

Schedule

When the study was conducted and where

RESULTS

Participants

• (a) Report the number of individuals at each stage of the study, for example, potentially eligible numbers, examined for eligibility, confirmed eligible, included in the study, completing the follow-up and analyzed
• (b) Indicate the reasons for not participating in each stage
• (c) Consider using a flowchart

Descriptive data

• (a) Indicate the characteristics of the study participants (eg, demographic, clinical, social) and information about exposures and possible confounding factors
• (b) Indicate the number of participants with missing data for each variable of interest
• Report the number of outcome events or summary measures

Results data

• (a) Provide unadjusted estimates and, if applicable, estimates adjusted for confounding factors and their accuracy (for example, 95% confidence interval). Clarify what confounding factors were adjusted and why they were included
• (b) Report category limits when continuous variables were categorized
• (c) If relevant, consider translating relative risk estimates into absolute risk for a significant period of time.

Other analysis

• Report other analyzes performed, for example, subgroup and interaction analysis, and sensitivity analysis.

DISCUSSION

Key results

• Summarize the key results with reference to the objectives of the study.

Limitations

• Discuss the limitations of the study, taking into account the sources of potential bias or inaccuracy.
• Discuss the direction and magnitude of any potential bias

Interpretation

• Give a cautious general interpretation of the results considering objectives, limitations, multiplicity of analysis, results of similar studies and other relevant evidence

Generalisability

• Discuss the generalization (external validity) of the study results.

Conclusions

What was found and what is the answer to the research question.

Recommendations

Prevention and new studies