Clinical Trial Registration Policy

The Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS) supports the prospective registration of clinical trials to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in medical research.

JATAFS encourages authors conducting clinical research to register eligible clinical trials in a publicly accessible registry before enrolling the first participant. Clinical trial registration improves research transparency, reduces publication bias, and enables public access to information regarding ongoing and completed clinical studies.

This policy is consistent with the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Health Organization (WHO), and internationally recognized standards for clinical research.

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1. Purpose

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Promote transparency in clinical research.

  • Prevent selective reporting of study outcomes.

  • Improve public access to clinical trial information.

  • Enhance research integrity and accountability.

  • Support compliance with international publishing standards.

  • Protect the rights and interests of research participants.

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2. Scope

This policy applies to manuscripts reporting:

  • Randomized controlled trials.

  • Non-randomized clinical trials.

  • Interventional studies.

  • Behavioral intervention studies.

  • Medical device trials.

  • Digital health intervention studies.

  • Artificial Intelligence-assisted clinical studies.

  • Complementary and integrative medicine intervention trials.

Observational studies and retrospective analyses may not require prospective registration; however, authors should comply with applicable reporting guidelines and institutional requirements.

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3. Definition of a Clinical Trial

For the purposes of this policy, a clinical trial is any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes.

Health-related interventions may include:

  • Medicines.

  • Surgical procedures.

  • Medical devices.

  • Artificial Intelligence-based clinical decision support systems.

  • Digital health technologies.

  • Rehabilitation interventions.

  • Behavioral therapies.

  • Nutritional interventions.

  • Integrative medicine therapies.

  • Preventive healthcare strategies.

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4. Trial Registration Requirement

JATAFS strongly encourages that eligible clinical trials be registered in a publicly accessible registry before the first participant is enrolled.

Authors should provide the following information within the manuscript:

  • Registry name.

  • Registration number.

  • Date of registration.

  • Trial title (if applicable).

Failure to register a clinical trial prospectively should be clearly explained in the manuscript and may influence the editorial assessment.

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5. Acceptable Clinical Trial Registries

Examples of recognized public registries include:

  • ClinicalTrials.gov

  • Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI)

  • ISRCTN Registry

  • EU Clinical Trials Register

  • Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR)

  • WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Primary Registries

Authors should ensure that the selected registry is publicly accessible and maintained by a recognized organization.

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6. Reporting Registration Information

Clinical trial registration details should appear in the manuscript under a dedicated section, such as Clinical Trial Registration or within the Methods section.

Where applicable, authors should report:

  • Registry name.

  • Registration number.

  • Registration date.

  • Trial status.

Registration information should also be included during manuscript submission.

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7. Protocol Changes

If significant changes are made to the trial protocol after registration, authors should:

  • Update the clinical trial registry.

  • Clearly describe important protocol amendments within the manuscript.

  • Explain the reasons for substantial modifications where appropriate.

Transparency regarding protocol changes helps readers interpret study findings accurately.

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8. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for:

  • Registering eligible clinical trials where appropriate.

  • Providing accurate registration information.

  • Reporting trial outcomes honestly and completely.

  • Disclosing protocol amendments.

  • Complying with applicable ethical and regulatory requirements.

  • Ensuring consistency between the registered protocol and the published manuscript.

Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy of all submitted registration information.

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9. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers assessing clinical trial manuscripts should consider whether:

  • Trial registration information has been provided.

  • Reported methods are consistent with the registered protocol.

  • Major discrepancies have been adequately explained.

  • Ethical approval has been obtained.

Reviewers should notify the editors if significant inconsistencies or concerns are identified.

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10. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors may verify trial registration information during editorial assessment.

Editors are responsible for:

  • Promoting transparency.

  • Assessing compliance with this policy.

  • Requesting clarification where necessary.

  • Considering registration status during editorial evaluation.

  • Ensuring that published trial information is accurate and complete.

Editorial decisions will be based on the overall scientific quality, ethical compliance, and transparency of the submitted research.

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11. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Clinical Trials

Clinical studies evaluating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), or digital health technologies should provide sufficient information to enable readers to assess the validity, reproducibility, and clinical relevance of the research.

Authors are encouraged to report:

  • The AI model or algorithm used.

  • Training and validation datasets.

  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria.

  • Model development and validation methods.

  • Performance metrics (e.g., accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, AUC).

  • Measures taken to minimize algorithmic bias.

  • Clinical implementation and intended use.

  • Limitations of the AI system.

Where applicable, authors should follow internationally recognized reporting guidelines for AI-based clinical research.

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12. Late or Missing Trial Registration

JATAFS recognizes that, in exceptional circumstances, clinical trials may not have been prospectively registered.

Where registration occurred after participant enrollment or where registration was not completed, authors must provide:

  • A clear explanation for the delay or omission.

  • The date of registration (if applicable).

  • Any supporting documentation requested by the Editorial Office.

Failure to prospectively register a clinical trial may influence the editorial assessment and publication decision.

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13. Reporting Guidelines

Authors are encouraged to prepare clinical trial manuscripts in accordance with internationally recognized reporting standards appropriate to their study design.

Examples include:

  • CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) for randomized controlled trials.

  • SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) for clinical trial protocols.

  • CONSORT-AI for clinical trials involving Artificial Intelligence interventions.

  • SPIRIT-AI for AI clinical trial protocols.

  • TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) for detailed intervention reporting.

Adherence to reporting guidelines improves transparency, reproducibility, and the quality of published research.

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14. Editorial Assessment

During editorial evaluation, the Editorial Office may verify:

  • Trial registration details.

  • Ethical approval.

  • Consistency between the registered protocol and submitted manuscript.

  • Compliance with reporting guidelines.

  • Adequacy of participant protections.

  • Scientific validity of the reported outcomes.

Where clarification is required, authors may be asked to provide additional documentation before editorial decisions are made.

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15. Post-Publication Issues

If concerns regarding clinical trial registration, reporting, or ethical compliance arise after publication, JATAFS will investigate the matter in accordance with its Publication Ethics Policy.

Depending on the findings, the journal may:

  • Publish a correction.

  • Update trial registration information.

  • Publish an Expression of Concern.

  • Retract the article where appropriate.

  • Notify relevant institutions or regulatory authorities when necessary.

All investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and objectively.

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16. Policy Review

JATAFS periodically reviews this Clinical Trial Registration Policy to ensure alignment with evolving international standards and best practices.

Updates may reflect recommendations issued by:

  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)

  • World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

The most current version of this policy will be available on the journal website.

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17. Contact Information

Questions regarding clinical trial registration, reporting requirements, or ethical compliance may be directed to:

Editorial Office
Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS)
Novadex Publications

Email: editor@novadexpub.com

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18. Commitment to Transparent Clinical Research

The Journal of Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (JATAFS) is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in clinical research.

By encouraging prospective trial registration, adherence to recognized reporting guidelines, and accurate disclosure of study methods and outcomes, JATAFS aims to strengthen the reliability of published evidence and support informed clinical practice.

The journal encourages researchers, clinicians, institutions, and sponsors to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout the design, conduct, reporting, and publication of clinical research.