In the fields of medicine and public health, when randomized controlled trials are impractical, observational studies serve as a key alternative approach. However, the results of observational studies are often susceptible to bias. Target trial emulation (TTE) enhances the reliability and interpretability of results through structured design, rigorous analytical methods, and adjustment for confounding factors. The absence of a unified reporting guideline, however, has somewhat limited the reliability and reproducibility of TTE results. To address this gap, an international collaborative team developed the Transparent Reporting of Observational Studies Emulating a Target Trial (TARGET) reporting guideline, which aims to improve the transparency and methodological rigor of TTE. This study presents a Chinese translation and interpretation of the TARGET reporting guideline, with the goal of promoting its adoption and application in China.
