We now require that any paper presenting original studies on health economics should conform with the guidelines published in the BMJ in 1996, and we ask authors to complete the checklist shown below. For a full explanation, see Guidelines for authors and peer reviewers of economic submissions to the BMJ.

The completed checklist is then seen by editors and peer reviewers. 

Authors must provide a completed checklist, indicating on which page of the paper each item is dealt with:

Study design
(1) The research question is stated
(2) The economic importance of the research question is stated
(3) The viewpoint(s) of the analysis are clearly stated and justified
(4) The rationale for choosing the alternative programmes or interventions compared is stated
(5) The alternatives being compared are clearly described
(6) The form of economic evaluation used is stated
(7) The choice of form of economic evaluation is justified in relation to the questions addressed

Data collection
(8) The source(s) of effectiveness estimates used are stated
(9) Details of the design and results of effectiveness study are given (if based on a single study)
(10) Details of the method of synthesis or meta-analysis of estimates are given (if based on an overview of a number of effectiveness studies)
(11) The primary outcome measure(s) for the economic evaluation are clearly stated
(12) Methods to value health states and other benefits are stated
(13) Details of the subjects from whom valuations were obtained are given
(14) Productivity changes (if included) are reported separately
(15) The relevance of productivity changes to the study question is discussed
(16) Quantities of resources are reported separately from their unit costs
(17) Methods for the estimation of quantities and unit costs are described
(18) Currency and price data are recorded
(19) Details of currency of price adjustments for inflation or currency conversion are given
(20) Details of any model used are given
(21) The choice of model used and the key parameters on which it is based are justified

Analysis and interpretation of results
(22) Time horizon of costs and benefits is stated
(23) The discount rate(s) is stated
(24) The choice of rate(s) is justified
(25) An explanation is given if costs or benefits are not discounted
(26) Details of statistical tests and confidence intervals are given for stochastic data
(27) The approach to sensitivity analysis is given
(28) The choice of variables for sensitivity analysis is justified
(29) The ranges over which the variables are varied are stated
(30) Relevant alternatives are compared
(31) Incremental analysis is reported
(32) Major outcomes are presented in a disaggregated as well as aggregated form
(33) The answer to the study question is given
(34) Conclusions follow from the data reported
(35) Conclusions are accompanied by the appropriate caveats

Authors may enter N/A if an item on the checklist is not appropriate, but this is only acceptable for items 9,10, 12-15, 20, 21, 23-29, and 31.