- Framework of problems / Transparent
- Multiplicity of outcomes and lack of pre-specification for outcome reporting
- Multiplicity of data in trial reports and the reliability of meta-analyses: empirical study
Ref ID | 468 |
First Author | B. Tendal |
Journal | BMJ |
Year Of Publishing | 2011 |
URL | https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/343/bmj.d4829.full.pdf |
Keywords |
Cochrane Multiplicity General medical |
Problem(s) |
Multiplicity of outcomes and lack of pre-specification for outcome reporting Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews |
Number of systematic reviews included | 19 |
Summary of Findings | Review protocols often lacked information about which data to choose. There was multiplicity of data in at least one trial report. 29% trials reported data for multiple intervention groups, 36% reported data for multiple time points, and 35% reported the index outcome measured on multiple scales. The impact of multiple data in trial reports regarding intervention groups, time points, or measurement scales on meta-analysis results varied greatly across meta-analyses, ranging from almost no effect (0.04 standard deviation units) to a substantial one (0.91 standard deviation) units, corresponding to a large treatment effect. |
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | Yes |
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | Yes |