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Protocol for development of a checklist and guideline for transparent reporting of cluster analyses (TRoCA)

Lisik, Daniil ; Shah, Syed Ahmar LU ; Basna, Rani LU orcid ; Dinh, Tai ; Browne, Ryan P. ; Andrews, Jeffrey L. ; Wallace, Meredith ; Ezugwu, Absalom ; Marusic, Ana and Tran, Dat , et al. (2025) In BMJ Open 15(8). p.1-7
Abstract

Introduction Cluster analysis, a machine learning-based and data-driven technique for identifying groups in data, has demonstrated its potential in a wide range of contexts. However, critical appraisal and reproducibility are often limited by insufficient reporting, ultimately hampering the interpretation and trust of key stakeholders. The present paper describes the protocol that will guide the development of a reporting guideline and checklist for studies incorporating cluster analyses - Transparent Reporting of Cluster Analyses. Methods and analysis Following the recommended steps for developing reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network, the work will be divided into six... (More)

Introduction Cluster analysis, a machine learning-based and data-driven technique for identifying groups in data, has demonstrated its potential in a wide range of contexts. However, critical appraisal and reproducibility are often limited by insufficient reporting, ultimately hampering the interpretation and trust of key stakeholders. The present paper describes the protocol that will guide the development of a reporting guideline and checklist for studies incorporating cluster analyses - Transparent Reporting of Cluster Analyses. Methods and analysis Following the recommended steps for developing reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network, the work will be divided into six stages. Stage 1: literature review to guide development of initial checklist. Stage 2: drafting of the initial checklist. Stage 3: internal revision of checklist. Stage 4: Delphi study in a global sample of researchers from varying fields (n=≈) to derive consensus regarding items in the checklist and piloting of the checklist. Stage 5: consensus meeting to consolidate checklist. Stage 6: production of statement paper and explanation and elaboration paper. Stage 7: dissemination via journals, conferences, social media and a dedicated web platform. Ethics and dissemination Due to local regulations, the planned study is exempt from the requirement of ethical review. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. The checklist with explanations will also be made available freely on a dedicated web platform (troca-statement.org) and in a repository.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Health informatics, Information management, Information technology
in
BMJ Open
volume
15
issue
8
article number
e099609
pages
1 - 7
publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • scopus:105013770031
  • pmid:40840990
ISSN
2044-6055
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099609
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ Group.
id
68086698-0b1c-457e-a6c2-73ab432958bb
date added to LUP
2025-08-31 12:37:51
date last changed
2025-09-28 16:25:51
@article{68086698-0b1c-457e-a6c2-73ab432958bb,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction Cluster analysis, a machine learning-based and data-driven technique for identifying groups in data, has demonstrated its potential in a wide range of contexts. However, critical appraisal and reproducibility are often limited by insufficient reporting, ultimately hampering the interpretation and trust of key stakeholders. The present paper describes the protocol that will guide the development of a reporting guideline and checklist for studies incorporating cluster analyses - Transparent Reporting of Cluster Analyses. Methods and analysis Following the recommended steps for developing reporting guidelines outlined by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network, the work will be divided into six stages. Stage 1: literature review to guide development of initial checklist. Stage 2: drafting of the initial checklist. Stage 3: internal revision of checklist. Stage 4: Delphi study in a global sample of researchers from varying fields (n=≈) to derive consensus regarding items in the checklist and piloting of the checklist. Stage 5: consensus meeting to consolidate checklist. Stage 6: production of statement paper and explanation and elaboration paper. Stage 7: dissemination via journals, conferences, social media and a dedicated web platform. Ethics and dissemination Due to local regulations, the planned study is exempt from the requirement of ethical review. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. The checklist with explanations will also be made available freely on a dedicated web platform (troca-statement.org) and in a repository.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lisik, Daniil and Shah, Syed Ahmar and Basna, Rani and Dinh, Tai and Browne, Ryan P. and Andrews, Jeffrey L. and Wallace, Meredith and Ezugwu, Absalom and Marusic, Ana and Tran, Dat and Torres-Sospedra, Joaquín and Dam, Hieu Chi and Fournier-Viger, Philippe and Hennig, Christian and Timmerman, Marieke and Warrens, Matthijs J. and Ceulemans, Eva and Nwaru, Bright I. and Hernandez-Boussard, Tina M.}},
  issn         = {{2044-6055}},
  keywords     = {{Health informatics; Information management; Information technology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{1--7}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{BMJ Open}},
  title        = {{Protocol for development of a checklist and guideline for transparent reporting of cluster analyses (TRoCA)}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099609}},
  doi          = {{10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099609}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}