Publication bias
Publication bias is defined as "the influence of study results on the chances of publication and the tendency of investigators, reviewers, and editors to submit or accept manuscripts for publication based on the direction or strength of the study findings. Publication bias has an impact on the interpretation of clinical trials and meta-analyses. Bias can be minimized by insistence by editors on high-quality research, thorough literature reviews, acknowledgement of conflicts of interest, modification of peer review practices, etc."[1] Publication bias has been documented to occur[2].
Publication bias may be due to authors not submitting negative studies for publication.[3] This may especially be true of studies authored by industries with conflicts of interest.[4]
Meta-analysis
Publication bias is a major threat to the validity of meta-analysis. Publication bias against negative studies may threaten the validity of meta-analyses that are positive and all the studies included within the meta-analysis are small.[5][6]
References
- ↑ National Library of Medicine. Publication bias. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
- ↑ Dickersin K, Min YI, Meinert CL (1992). "Factors influencing publication of research results. Follow-up of applications submitted to two institutional review boards". JAMA 267 (3): 374–8. PMID 1727960. [e]
- ↑ Krzyzanowska MK, Pintilie M, Tannock IF (2003). "Factors associated with failure to publish large randomized trials presented at an oncology meeting". JAMA 290 (4): 495–501. DOI:10.1001/jama.290.4.495. PMID 12876092. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Melander H, Ahlqvist-Rastad J, Meijer G, Beermann B (2003). "Evidence b(i)ased medicine--selective reporting from studies sponsored by pharmaceutical industry: review of studies in new drug applications". BMJ 326 (7400): 1171–3. DOI:10.1136/bmj.326.7400.1171. PMID 12775615. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Sutton AJ, Duval SJ, Tweedie RL, Abrams KR, Jones DR (2000). "Empirical assessment of effect of publication bias on meta-analyses". BMJ 320 (7249): 1574–7. PMID 10845965. [e]
- ↑ Egger M, Davey Smith G, Schneider M, Minder C (1997). "Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test". BMJ 315 (7109): 629–34. PMID 9310563. [e]