Intervention Study Reporting for Meta-Analysis (ISR-MA): a data usability and bias reduction tool

Meta-analyses are vital for synthesizing evidence to guide clinical practice, policy, and research. However, incomplete or inconsistent reporting often excludes intervention studies, especially in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), where both group and single case designs are common. This article introduces the Intervention Study Reporting for Meta-Analysis (ISR-MA) tool, a research-informed framework designed to improve transparency and usability of intervention study reports. ISR-MA provides practical guidance on reporting essential elements such as sample characteristics, outcomes, effect sizes, intervention components, and fidelity. It also promotes data accessibility and open science alignment. Using examples from meta-analytic challenges, we show how ISR-MA can reduce reporting bias and increase study inclusion in syntheses. We highlight the roles of authors, reviewers, editors, and journals in advancing reporting standards. By enhancing alignment between reporting practices and meta-analytic needs, ISR-MA fosters greater rigor, visibility, and impact of intervention research, supporting a more accurate and equitable evidence base in CSD and related fields.