Compare the registry's design, randomization, and blinding fields with the paper's methods section, then disclose any difference in the manuscript. ClinicalTrials.gov defines structured registration fields for study design, eligibility, outcomes, and reported results, so those fields give you a defined set of values to check against the article text.
- Pull the registry record and note the study design fields, including study type, allocation, intervention model, masking, and primary purpose where present. Record the exact values as registered.
- Read the paper's methods section and extract the matching statements: how participants were assigned, whether randomization occurred, and who was blinded. Write each statement beside the registry value.
- Mark each pair as consistent, different, or absent. A different value or a missing methods statement is a discrepancy to resolve, not proof of an error.
- Check the registry record's history and the paper's submission and publication dates to see whether the registration was updated after the study began. A later update can explain a difference between the registered design and the reported methods.
- Report the comparison in the manuscript: state the registered design values, the reported methods, and any difference. If the paper is yours, correct the methods text or explain the change; if you are reviewing, raise the discrepancy with the authors.
Use the registry's structured fields as the comparison baseline because ClinicalTrials.gov defines them for registration and results reporting. Search filters such as study type and status help you locate the right record when several registrations exist for one trial. When a field is blank in the registry, treat the comparison as unresolved and check the protocol or contact the authors before drawing a conclusion.