Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Metascience and innovative methods to improve population health

The Journal of Clinical Epidemiology (JCE) aims to advance science that can improve health care decision-making and contribute to the evolving discipline of clinical epidemiology. The JCE publishes methods-focused articles across the spectrum of the research ecosystem, including primary research (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed); evidence syntheses; guidelines; and implementation science. The journal welcomes registered reports, protocols, and simulation studies that advance the journal’s aims. The JCE promotes inclusive research and health equity and is committed to ensuring a diversity of perspectives across its content, contributors, editorial board, and leadership.

The journal publishes topics including:

• Meta-science

• Patient-oriented research

• Development, evaluation, and implementation of reporting guidelines

• Research integrity and culture

• Open science

• Emerging methodologies

• Developing and evaluating outcome measures

• Education and learning programs for clinical epidemiologist

The JCE does not accept the following submissions except in exceptional circumstances:

• Bibliometric studies and those on infodemiology, social media trends, and health informatics

• Papers written primarily for a statistical audience

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning studies without critical evaluation of the method and transparent reporting

• Meta-research studies that demonstrate weaknesses or limitations in the evidence ecosystem but lack reflection on how these might be addressed

• Effectiveness studies, including Mendelian randomization studies and target trial emulations; systematic reviews; prevalence and incidence studies; prognostic or diagnostic research where the main focus is not on the methods

• Studies limited to one country, jurisdiction, or clinical area with limited generalizability, such as: translating an outcome measure into a different language; a study focused on one clinical specialty; a Delphi/consensus-based study where all the authors are from one country; or a survey of participants from one setting or with a limited response rate

• Studies with a single author where it was more appropriate for a multi-disciplinary team to conduct the research

• Studies that do not include patient partners as members of the research team in circumstances where that would be considered essential

• Animal studies

• Pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology studies