Reporting should make the design, sources and analytical choices visible enough for readers to assess the reliability, relevance and limits of the conclusions.

Requirements across designs

State the question, conceptual framework and unit of analysis. Explain how evidence was selected, collected and interpreted, and identify limitations arising from access, measurement, selection or incomplete records. Define oversight and integrity outcomes explicitly. Do not treat the number of investigations, sanctions or complaints as a direct measure of misconduct without considering detection and reporting processes.

Identify registration, protocols or analysis plans where available and explain deviations. Distinguish prespecified analysis from exploratory work. A reporting checklist supplements a sound design; it does not establish quality or replace critical interpretation.

Quantitative research

Describe the population, sampling or administrative coverage, inclusion criteria, variables, missingness, exclusions and analytical methods. Report effect estimates with appropriate uncertainty and explain assumptions behind causal interpretations. Account for clustering, repeated observations and multiple analyses where relevant. Describe robustness checks and provide sufficient information to understand data construction and reproduce permitted analyses.

Qualitative and mixed-methods research

Explain case and participant selection, researcher roles, recruitment, data collection, coding and interpretation. Describe how contradictory evidence and reflexivity were addressed. Quotations require sufficient context to support interpretation without enabling avoidable identification. Mixed-methods studies should explain the relationship and integration between their components.

Authors may consult the APA Journal Article Reporting Standards for quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods reporting where applicable to their design.

Synthesis, legal and institutional work

Systematic reviews should report eligibility criteria, databases and other sources, search dates and strategies, screening, appraisal and synthesis decisions. Explain the handling of unpublished or institutional evidence and assess relevant limitations. Legal and comparative analyses should identify jurisdiction, source authority, selection criteria, temporal boundaries and translation choices.

For every design, include a data and materials availability statement and explain any restrictions. Transparency does not require public disclosure of protected participants or confidential evidence.

Updated 5 October 2026 · Questions: JPOII Editorial Office