Is there a limit to limitations? A proposal for structured limitations reporting in scientific manuscripts

Abstract

Reporting studies limitations is essential for transparent interpretation. While reporting guidelines such as CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA mandate disclosure of limitations, no widely adopted framework standardizes how these are reported in a structured and comparable format. In practice, limitations sections often extend over several paragraphs reiterating predictable design-related constraints. This limits comparability, contributes to inefficiency and may overshadow genuine study-specific considerations. We propose a semi-structured checklist combining standardized limitation domains with a concise narrative component. This approach aims to ensure minimum systematic disclosure while preserving critical interpretation. Structured reporting may improve clarity, comparability, and enable meta-research on limitations across studies. Consensus-based refinement and pilot implementation are warranted to evaluate feasibility and impact.