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 is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across all its content, contributors, editorial board, and leadership. Priority is given to contributions from early and mid-career researchers and low- and middle-income countries.

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