Table 2.

Do’s and Don’ts of big data causal inference research

Do	Don’t
Prespecify study design and analysis in the study protocol and statistical analysis plan.	Mine data for interesting results
Register the study for example, on ClinicalTrials.gov
Use tools like GitLAb to manage and share programming codes.45	Use hypothesis tests without a good reason
Find a good team, data science is a team sport needing clinical, epidemiological, statistical, and programming skills.
Follow the EQUATOR network reporting guidelines.46	Assume that patient and public involvement is too difficult or less important.
Publish disappointing/negative findings

EQUATOR, enhancing the quality and transparency of heath research.