The magnitude of small-study effects in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: an empirical study of nearly 30 000 meta-analyses

Ref ID 520
First Author L. Lin
Journal BMJ EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE
Year Of Publishing 2020
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6942244/pdf/nihms-1038392.pdf
Keywords • Publication bias
• Statistical
• Cochrane
• General medical
Problem(s) • Poor consideration of publication bias
Number of systematic reviews included 3302
Summary of Findings The regression intercepts and skewness indicated substantial "small-study effects" (publication bias) in around 30% to 35% meta-analyses, and considerable small-study effects in around 20% to 40% of meta-analyses. The trim and fill methods (PTF and RTF) implied substantial and considerable small-study effects in less meta-analyses than the other measures.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? N/A
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? No