Reporting limitations in biomedical & health-related research: Ethical obligation or stylistic convention?

Abstract

Research in biomedical and health sciences has evolved rapidly, along with expectations for how findings are reported. One of the most frequently ignored yet significant aspects of reporting of biomedical research findings is the earnest and comprehensive sharing of limitations. In this editorial, we propose that reporting limitations in medical and health research is not merely a stylistic convention but a fundamental ethical responsibility that safeguards patients, supports clinicians and policymakers, advances scientific progress, and sustains trust in biomedical research. Drawing on existing literature and recognized reporting frameworks, we explore the ethical basis for limitations disclosure, the importance of reporting limitations, and the repercussions of failing to disclose limitations in biomedical or health-related research.