- Framework of problems / Objective
- Unpublished or "zombie" reviews (the file-drawer effect)
- Following 411 Cochrane protocols to completion: a retrospective cohort study
| Ref ID | 540 |
| First Author | A. C. Tricco |
| Journal | PLOS ONE |
| Year Of Publishing | 2008 |
| URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18997866/ |
| Keywords |
Cochrane Protocols General medical Currency |
| Problem(s) |
Unpublished or "zombie" reviews (the file-drawer effect) Not updated regularly |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 372 |
| Summary of Findings | 19.1% of protocols were not published as full Cochrane reviews by 2008. 80.9% were published in full. Reasons for non-completion included: no reason provided (14.1%), protocol withdrawn due to out-datedness (12.7%), Cochrane review authors lacked time or interest (9.9%), and operational issues (e.g., the lead author changed jobs). Of those completed, only 33.2% had been subsequently updated. |
| Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | Not Applicable |
| Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | Yes |