What Is a CONSORT Checklist?
Looking for the full method? Read the detailed guide: Randomized Controlled Trials Explained.
CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) is a reporting guideline for randomised controlled trials. The 2010 statement includes a checklist of items and a flow diagram that traces participants from enrolment to analysis.
Example
A trial report that follows CONSORT states how participants were randomised, how allocation was concealed, who was blinded, how sample size was determined and what happened to every participant randomised.
Common misunderstanding
CONSORT does not tell you how to run a good trial or rate its quality; it makes the report complete. Authors should use the official checklist and check for extensions (for example for cluster or pilot trials) and for updates.
Learn more
See Randomized Controlled Trials Explained.
References and further reading
- Schulz KF, Altman DG, Moher D; CONSORT Group. CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ. 2010;340:c332. doi:10.1136/bmj.c332
- EQUATOR Network: Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (reporting guideline library). Link
Related reading
This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.